System and method for calculation using vertical parentheses

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for computer-based numerical calculation using a calcsheet are provided. A calcsheet may provide one or more columns for vertical calculation, each column having a plurality of fields including operation fields, number fields, and optional comment fields. The calcsheet may include multiple columns of vertical calculations. A user may type in calculations in a manner similar to the entry of calculations on a hand held calculator, and the calculations may be displayed in a vertical format in substantially any column. Number fields in a calcsheet may include mathematical formulas or references to other fields. A set of fields (such as all operation fields in a column, for example) may be hidden. The display order of fields may be altered. Parentheses spanning multiple rows may be used to alter the order of operations. Spreadsheet lines and vertical calculations may be used in a single document or display screen. Mathematical formulas may include a subtotal function which calculates a subtotal of the numeric values from preceding number fields.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to computer systems andsoftware. More particularly, the invention relates to computer-basedcalculation and spreadsheet systems and software.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Generally, there are two types of computer programs forperforming numerical calculations: spreadsheet programs and calculatorprograms. The advantages and disadvantages of both are discussed asfollows.

[0005] Calculators

[0006] A calculator program includes a computer program that is used forperforming numerical calculations. As used herein, the term “calculatorprogram” includes a type of computer program that emulates thefunctionality of a hand-held calculator. Calculator programs often allowdata to be entered via a computer keyboard in a very intuitive way, justas on a hand-held calculator. For example, entry of the key sequence“1+2+3=” would usually cause the calculator program to display theresult “6”. Calculator programs usually display a graphical image thatlooks like a hand held calculator which can be operated with a mouse toenter calculations instead of using a keyboard.

[0007] Many calculator programs display calculations on a display screenin a vertical format, similar to a tape produced by an adding machine.In these calculator programs, for example, entering the key sequence“1+2+3” would cause

[0008] 1

[0009] +2

[0010] +3

[0011] to be displayed on the screen. For many people, this verticalsequence is a very intuitive way to display calculations because it ishow they write arithmetic calculations on paper, and is how they havedone so since early school days. In most calculator programs, the areaof the screen that contains this vertical record of the keystrokes iscalled the “tape,” and that term will be used when discussing calculatorprograms herein. (The term “tape” is derived from the paper tape of anadding machine). The term “vertical calculation” will be used todescribe this format of displaying calculations vertically. Mostcalculator programs allow the tape to be printed out and also to besaved in a file.

[0012] Some calculator programs have tapes that can be modified. Forexample, the operators and the numbers may be changed, and the resultmay be recalculated using the modified values. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showexamples of calculator programs with modifiable tapes. Some of thesecalculator programs with modifiable tapes also allow descriptive textcomments to be placed next to the numbers on the tape. For example, theprevious tape could be modified to look like:

[0013] 1 apple

[0014] +2 oranges

[0015] +3 bananas

[0016] Despite the intuitive way that they allow calculations to beentered and displayed, calculator programs with modifiable tapes havebeen relatively unsuccessful commercially. The disadvantages ofmodifiable tapes of existing calculator programs are discussed asfollows.

[0017] First, the tapes of the existing calculator programs can containonly very simple calculations that can be expressed in the addingmachine tape format. It is impossible to enter repetitive data in atabular, spreadsheet style format; it is impossible to displaycalculations horizontally; it is impossible to place functioninvocations in the tape, and it is impossible to enter calculations withparentheses.

[0018] Second, the tapes of the existing calculator programs only allowdata to be entered in a single column. It is believed that not onecommercially available calculator program has broken from the paradigmof the continuous single column paper tape of an adding machine. Thisformat makes it very difficult to organize calculations in a logical waythat is easy to view and modify on a computer screen, and this formatmakes it impossible to have tables of data.

[0019] Third, the tapes of the existing calculator programs aredifficult to modify. The editing features of these programs are oftencumbersome to use.

[0020] Fourth, the tapes of the existing calculator programs are notaesthetically pleasing. For example, calculations must all be placed ina single column. The calculator programs lack the ability to specifyfonts, alignment, indentation, and other formatting characteristics ofthe data on the tapes. The calculator programs have very limited abilityto allow descriptive text to be placed in the tape. This limited abilitymakes it impossible to use these programs to produce a professionallooking business document; at best, they are limited to use as a“scratch pad” for numerical calculations.

[0021] Spreadsheets

[0022] Spreadsheets are computer programs that allow numbers, text data,and formulas to be stored in cells. The cells are displayed inrectangular areas on the screen and are arranged in a tabular format,i.e., in rows and columns. A single cell can contain a formula orfunction which may operate on multiple pieces of data stored in othercells. A cell's number, text data, or the result of the cell's formulaor function is usually displayed in the cell that contains it.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows a typical modem spreadsheet program. The example ofFIG. 3 shows data arranged as a table. The example table has cells withtext, cells with numbers, and cells with formulas. Cells A1 and C3 areexamples of cells that contain text data; the text in cell A1 spansseveral columns. Cells C4 through F4 contain numbers. Cell G4 contains aformula which adds the numbers in cells C4 through F4. FIG. 3 shows anexample of what cell G4 may look like when it is being edited. When cellG4 is not being edited, it will display the result of the formula(“50.00”).

[0024] Spreadsheet programs have been quite commercially successful:many millions of them have been sold since they were invented in thelate 1970s. In fact, the vast majority of personal computers sold todaycome with a spreadsheet program pre-installed on them. Two examples ofpopular modem spreadsheets are “Lotus 1-2-3” (available from LotusDevelopment Corporation) and “Microsoft Excel” (available from MicrosoftCorporation).

[0025] Despite the presence of a spreadsheet program on virtually everypersonal computer, there are relatively few people who actually usespreadsheets. Many people have seen spreadsheets and know what they are,but if they are asked to use a spreadsheet to perform some numericalcalculations, they may be forced to admit that they don't know how.Spreadsheets are used almost exclusively as a business tool, and veryfew home computer users use spreadsheets at all. Home users very rarelyperform the kind of numerical calculations on repetitive tabular datafor which spreadsheets are best suited.

[0026] Even within most businesses, relatively few people usespreadsheets. “Using a spreadsheet” is defined here as creating aspreadsheet (e.g., entering formulas, functions and numbers) in order torecord and/or calculate numerical values. After a spreadsheet has beencreated by an experienced user, it is often “used” by other employeeswho merely enter data into it. For purposes of this discussion, suchsimple data entry will not be considered to be using a spreadsheet sinceit is no different than entering data into any other program and doesnot require any knowledge of how to perform calculations with aspreadsheet. Generally, only professional employees such as managers,financial analysts, engineers, etc., who regularly need to work withrepetitive numerical data know how to use a spreadsheet for anythingother than data entry.

[0027] There are two primary reasons why relatively few people usespreadsheets. First, many types of calculations are awkward to representas tables of data and/or as formulas in cells. Spreadsheets are not goodtools for data that is not repetitive and tabular in nature. Home usersin particular rarely need to work with such data. Second, spreadsheetsare not easy to use. They are not for novice or unsophisticated computerusers. They are powerful business tools; companies often need to provideformal training for employees to learn to use spreadsheets. Manyspreadsheet users find the editing features in particular to befrustrating and unintuitive.

[0028] Both calculator programs and spreadsheets have advantages anddisadvantages. Calculators are intuitive and easy to use yet have verylimited functionality, and spreadsheets have a great deal offunctionality but are very difficult to use. Therefore, it is desirableto provide an improved system and method for numerical calculation whichcombines the ease of use of a calculator program with the functionalityof a spreadsheet program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The systems and methods described herein may combine theintuitive data entry and display format of a calculator program with thepowerful functionality of a spreadsheet, along with many additionalfeatures, to form a new classification of numerical processing programswhich may be referred to as a calcsheet. The advantages of selectedfeatures of the calcsheet are described below.

[0030] Multiple Columns of Vertical Calculations

[0031] In one embodiment, the calcsheet may include multiple columns ofvertical calculations. In one embodiment, a user may type incalculations in a manner similar to the entry of calculations on a handheld calculator, and the calculations may be displayed in a verticalformat in substantially any column in the calcsheet. The ability toinclude vertical calculations as described above in potentially multiplecolumns provides significant advantages over both calculator programsand spreadsheets. A calcsheet may enable data to be arranged in atabular format like a spreadsheet. This capability may open up a wholenew class of calculations of which calculator programs are not capable.For example, much more information can be placed on a single screen.Many more calculations can be placed on the screen at the same time,allowing calculations to be accessed much more easily (e.g., withoutscrolling up and down) when they need to be changed or examined.Furthermore, it is possible to make calculations appear much moreaesthetically pleasing, such that they are suitable forprofessional-quality business documents. In one embodiment of acalcsheet, data can be entered in the familiar handheld calculatorformat and displayed in the familiar vertical calculation format, makingthe calcsheet useful for a whole class of calculations for whichspreadsheets are too cumbersome. Vertical calculations may thereforemake a calcsheet much easier to use than a spreadsheet for a largenumber of users.

[0032] Hiding Fields

[0033] In one embodiment, the calcsheet provides the ability to hidefields within a column. It is not believed that this function isavailable in any spreadsheets or in calculator programs. This functionmay provide several advantages over both calculator programs andspreadsheets. Field hiding further enhances the ability of a calcsheetto be used for both vertical calculations and tabular spreadsheet stylecomputations. In one embodiment, vertical calculations can be convertedto a tabular style display by hiding the operation and/or comment fieldsafter the calculation has been entered. Similarly, tabular data can beconverted to vertical calculations by “unhiding” the operation fieldsand entering operations in them. Field hiding may make the calcsheeteasier to use by allowing more data to be placed on a single screen,thus requiring less scrolling than a calculator program. Field hidingmay allow a calcsheet to be less visually confusing and moreaesthetically pleasing by hiding unused or unwanted fields.

[0034] Spreadsheet Lines and Vertical Calculations in the Same Document

[0035] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include a spreadsheet line: akind of line that only has one field which spans the width of at leastone column. In one embodiment, a spreadsheet line can include a comment,a number, or a formula. The ability to combine single-field spreadsheetlines with multi-field vertical calculation lines in a calcsheet mayprovide a significant advantage over calculator programs in at least twoways. First, the combination may allow a calcsheet to be much easier toread and understand and much more aesthetically pleasing by allowingcomments to span multiple fields. This feature may also make it possibleto produce a professional-looking business document with numerical datathat is entered in the same familiar, intuitive way that it would beentered on a hand-held calculator. Second, the combination may allow thecalcsheet to be used for both tabular repetitive data and verticalcalculations. This feature is not believed to be found in any calculatorprogram or spreadsheet. More specifically, the same column may containvertical calculations as well as tabular spreadsheet data. This abilitymay allow a calcsheet to be arranged in a logical, easy to read, andaesthetically pleasing way.

[0036] Formulas in Number Fields

[0037] In one embodiment, calcsheets may include formulas in numberfields. This ability may further enhance the utility of a calcsheet forboth vertical calculations and tabular, spreadsheet-style computations.In one embodiment, vertical calculations may be simplified usingformulas in number fields. Instead of the three lines for a set ofrelated expenses, for example, a calcsheet may use a simple formula tocombine all the expenses into only one line. In one embodiment, verticalcalculations may be used for more complex calculations. The formulas ina number field may be arbitrarily complex arithmetic expressions withparentheses and advanced mathematical, trigonometric, statistical, andbusiness functions. Therefore, it may be possible to use verticalcalculations for very complex calculations that would either be veryawkward or impossible to express with a calculator program.

[0038] Changing the Order of Fields

[0039] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include the ability to changethe order of fields within a column. For example, comment fields may bedisplayed on the left side of the number field, and operation fields maybe hidden. This is a format that is often used in corporate financialstatements: descriptive comment on the left and numbers on the right.Therefore, a calcsheet, unlike a spreadsheet or calculator program, mayallow data to be entered in the intuitive calculator input format anddisplayed in a format that is suitable for professional quality businessdocuments.

[0040] Parentheses in Vertical Calculations

[0041] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include the ability to putparentheses in separate lines of a vertical calculation in order tomodify the order of evaluation. It is not believed that this feature canbe found in any calculator program or spreadsheet.

[0042] Calculator Input Mode

[0043] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include a calculator inputmode. In this mode, as the user enters calculations in hand-heldcalculator format, the calcsheet responds to each character as it isentered and automatically inserts new lines, switches input focus to theappropriate fields, places characters into the appropriate fields, andperforms any other tasks needed to display the calculations vertically.This feature may provide a significant advantage over existingcalculator programs which fail to provide a clear visual indicator ofhow the tape will be modified as calculations are entered. It isbelieved that existing calculator programs also do not allow newvertical calculations to be entered while editing previously entereddata. Spreadsheets, of course, do not support vertical calculations (asdescribed herein) at all.

[0044] Single Key Editing and Navigation

[0045] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may be easily modified (e.g.,navigated and/or edited) using single keystrokes. One advantages of acalcsheet over spreadsheets and calculator programs is the ease withwhich a calcsheet may be modified. In one embodiment, when editing afield in a calcsheet, the user may switch to editing any adjacent fieldwith a single keystroke using the arrow or tab keys. Therefore, the usermay navigate anywhere in a calcsheet and edit any field using only thearrow keys, which usually are grouped together on a keyboard. Single-keyediting and navigation may provide a significant usability advantage. Incalculator programs, it is not believed to be possible to use thekeyboard to switch editing to an adjacent field. Instead, the user mustdouble click on the adjacent field with the mouse. Spreadsheets do allowthe user to switch editing to an adjacent cell with the keyboard butinstead require multiple keystrokes to do so, and typically with keysthat are not grouped together on the keyboard.

[0046] Subtotal Function

[0047] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may use a subtotal function. Asubtotal function may be entered into a number field and may return asubtotal of one or more numeric values in number fields preceding thenumber field in which the subtotal function was entered. In oneembodiment, the subtotal function will apply the appropriatemathematical operators to the numeric values in all the number fieldsabove that of the subtotal function. If, however, the subtotal functionfollows an open parenthesis character (e.g., an open parenthesischaracter appears on a line preceding the line with the subtotalfunction), then the function will return the subtotal starting from theline containing the previous open parenthesis character. In other words,vertical parentheses may be used to select a subset of the precedingnumber fields to sum. In one embodiment, the subtotal function may bepart of a larger mathematical formula. In other words, the subtotalfunction may be evaluated, and then the resulting value may be used inanother formula.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

[0049]FIG. 1 shows an example of a calculator program with a modifiabletape.

[0050]FIG. 2 shows another example of a calculator program with amodifiable tape.

[0051]FIG. 3 shows a typical modem spreadsheet program.

[0052]FIG. 4 shows a basic calcsheet that has multiple columns ofvertical calculations according to one embodiment.

[0053]FIG. 5 shows a calcsheet that has columns with comment fieldshidden according to one embodiment.

[0054]FIG. 6 shows a calcsheet with columns that have their operationand comment fields hidden according to one embodiment.

[0055]FIG. 7 shows a calcsheet with spreadsheet lines containingdescriptive text according to one embodiment.

[0056]FIG. 8 shows a calcsheet with vertical calculation lines andspreadsheet lines containing numerical values according to oneembodiment.

[0057]FIGS. 9A and 9B show a calcsheet with a formula in a number field(line A6), as the number field is being edited (9A), and when the numberfield is not being edited (9B), according to one embodiment.

[0058]FIG. 10 shows a calcsheet with formulas in number fields accordingto one embodiment.

[0059]FIG. 11 shows a calcsheet with comments displayed on the left ofthe column, and with operation fields hidden, according to oneembodiment.

[0060]FIG. 12A shows a calcsheet before the comment field in line A3 issplit, and FIG. 12B shows the calcsheet after the split command,according to one embodiment.

[0061]FIG. 13 shows a multi line comment field in a single-row lineaccording to one embodiment.

[0062]FIG. 14 shows a vertical calculation evaluated in sequential orderin column A, and a vertical calculation evaluated insequential-parenthetical order in column B, according to one embodiment.

[0063]FIG. 15 shows a vertical calculation evaluated in algebraic orderin column A, and a vertical calculation evaluated inalgebraic-parenthetical order in column B, according to one embodiment.

[0064]FIGS. 16A through 16G show a calculator input mode screen sequencewhen the characters “1 apple+2=” are entered according to oneembodiment.

[0065]FIGS. 17A and 17B show a switch from editing the number field(17A) to editing the comment field (17B) which is accomplished with asingle keystroke according to one embodiment.

[0066]FIG. 18A shows a number field with its character string displayedin it, and FIG. 18B shows the same field with its output characterstring displayed in it, according to one embodiment.

[0067]FIG. 19 shows a calc line with an operation field, a number field,and a comment field according to one embodiment.

[0068]FIG. 20 shows a column header displayed over a column of 9 calclines according to one embodiment.

[0069]FIG. 21 shows 3 field headers displayed over the fields of acolumn of 7 calc lines that each have 3 fields according to oneembodiment.

[0070]FIG. 22 shows a row header displayed next to a row of 2 calclines, each with three fields, according to one embodiment.

[0071]FIG. 23 shows a calcsheet with 3 columns and 14 rows visible, andwith a vertical calculation in lines A2, A3 and A4, according to oneembodiment.

[0072]FIG. 24A shows a single character string (edit string) for allfields in a line when the line has the focus, and FIG. 24B showssubstrings of the edit string displayed in the individual fields whenthe line does not have the focus, according to one embodiment.

[0073]FIG. 25 shows a calcsheet with comments fields displayed on theleft and with display of operation field strings suppressed when theoperation fields do not have the focus, according to one embodiment.

[0074]FIGS. 26A and 26B show suppression of display of total operationfield strings when the operation fields do not have the focus, whileFIGS. 26C and 26D show that the display of other (non-total) operationfield strings is not suppressed, according to one embodiment.

[0075]FIGS. 27A, 27B and 27C show automatic resizing of a field andcolumn as characters are typed in according to one embodiment.

[0076]FIG. 28A shows a minimal graphical calculator input means, andFIG. 28B shows a more typical graphical calculator input means with adisplay field, according to one embodiment.

[0077]FIGS. 29A through 29E show a screen sequence demonstratingcalculator input “overlay mode” when the characters “1+2=” are typed inaccording to one embodiment.

[0078]FIGS. 30A though 30C show a single-row line (line A2) expandinginto a multi-row line as its comment field requires more lines todisplay, according to one embodiment.

[0079]FIG. 31 shows calc line fields with different fonts and formattingaccording to one embodiment.

[0080]FIG. 32 shows comment fields with right alignment according to oneembodiment.

[0081]FIG. 33A shows a function in the number field of line A3, FIG. 33Bshows the numeric value of the function displayed in the number field ofline A3 when it does not have the focus, FIG. 33C shows the sourcestring displayed in the number field of line A3 when it does not havethe focus, and FIG. 33D shows a single quote in line A3's number fieldstring to indicate that the source string should be displayed when thefield does not have the focus, according to one embodiment.

[0082]FIG. 34 shows a number field, line A6, with a formula sourcestring displayed when it does not have the focus according to oneembodiment.

[0083]FIG. 35A shows an equals line displayed with a total calc line,and FIG. 35B shows that the equals line is erased when the operation ischanged to a non-total operation, according to one embodiment.

[0084]FIG. 36 shows that an equals line's thickness is proportional tothe font according to one embodiment.

[0085]FIG. 37 shows an equals line displayed in the calc line before thetotal calc line according to one embodiment.

[0086]FIG. 38 shows a calc line that is made taller because it has atotal operation according to one embodiment.

[0087]FIGS. 39A and 39B show that a reference to another calc line maycause the comment of the referenced calc line to be displayed in thereferencing line's comment field if the referencing line's comment fieldstring is null according to one embodiment.

[0088]FIGS. 39C and 39D show that a reference to another calc line willnot cause the comment of the referenced calc line to be displayed in thereferencing line's comment field if the referencing line's comment fieldstring is not null according to one embodiment.

[0089]FIGS. 40A and 40B show that a parenthesis in the character stringof a number field may be displayed along with the number field's outputstring when the number field does not have the focus according to oneembodiment.

[0090]FIG. 41 shows basic adding machine order of evaluation in column Aand two possible variations of adding machine order of evaluation withmultiplication operations in columns B and C according to oneembodiment.

[0091]FIG. 42 shows regular sequential order of evaluation in column Aand sequential order of evaluation with the operation in the calc lineof the first operand according to one embodiment.

[0092]FIGS. 43 and 44 illustrate a typical computer system with computersoftware programs which is suitable for implementing variousembodiments.

[0093]FIG. 45 illustrates an example of a horizontal calculationaccording to one embodiment.

[0094]FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using multiplecolumns of vertical calculations according to one embodiment.

[0095]FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using formulas innumber fields according to one embodiment.

[0096]FIG. 48 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using calculatorinput mode for entry of data into a calcsheet according to oneembodiment.

[0097]FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using spreadsheetlines and vertical calculations in a single document according to oneembodiment.

[0098]FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using multi-fieldcolumns with modifiable field order according to one embodiment.

[0099]FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using multi-fieldcolumns with fields that can be hidden according to one embodiment.

[0100]FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating a method of verticalcalculation using vertical parentheses according to one embodiment.

[0101]FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a subtotalfunction according to one embodiment.

[0102] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

[0103]FIG. 43 - A Typical Computer System

[0104]FIG. 43 illustrates a typical, general-purpose computer system 100which is suitable for implementing numerical calculation systems andmethods according to various embodiments. The computer system 100typically comprises components such as computing hardware 102, a displaydevice such as a monitor 104, an alphanumeric input device such as akeyboard 106, and optionally an input device such as a mouse 108. Thecomputer system 100 is operable to execute computer programs which maybe stored on disks 110 or in computing hardware 102. In variousembodiments, the computer system 100 may comprise a desktop computer, alaptop computer, a palmtop computer, a network computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), an embedded device, a smart phone, or any othersuitable computing device.

[0105]FIG. 44 - Computing Hardware of a Typical Computer System

[0106]FIG. 44 is a block diagram illustrating the computing hardware 102of a typical, general-purpose computer system 100 which is suitable forimplementing numerical calculation systems and methods according to oneembodiment. The computing hardware 102 includes at least one centralprocessing unit (CPU) or other processor(s) 122. The CPU 122 isconfigured to execute program instructions which implement the numericalcalculation systems and methods as described herein. The CPU 122 ispreferably coupled to a memory medium 124.

[0107] As used herein, the term “memory medium” includes a non-volatilemedium, e.g., a magnetic medium, hard disk, or optical storage; avolatile medium, such as computer system memory, e.g., random accessmemory (RAM) such as DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; or aninstallation medium, such as CD-ROM, floppy disks, or a removable disk,on which computer programs are stored for loading into the computersystem. The term “memory medium” may also include other types of memory.The memory medium 124 may therefore store program instructions and/ordata which are executable by the CPU 122 to perform and/or implement thenumerical calculation systems and methods as described herein.Furthermore, the memory medium 124 may be utilized to install theprogram instructions and/or data. In a further embodiment, the memorymedium 124 may be comprised in a second computer system which is coupledto the computer system 100 through a network 128. In this instance, thesecond computer system may operate to provide the program instructionsstored in the memory medium 124 through the network 128 to the computersystem 100 for execution.

[0108] The CPU 122 may also be coupled through an input/output bus 120to one or more input/output devices that may include, but are notlimited to, a display device such as a monitor 104, a pointing devicesuch as a mouse 108, a keyboard 106, a track ball, a microphone, atouch-sensitive display, a magnetic or paper tape reader, a tablet, astylus, a voice recognizer, a handwriting recognizer, a printer, aplotter, a scanner, and any other devices for input and/or output. Thecomputer system 100 may acquire program instructions and/or data forimplementing the numerical calculation systems and methods as describedherein through the input/output bus 120.

[0109] The CPU 122 may include a network interface device 128 forcoupling to a network. The network may be representative of varioustypes of possible networks: for example, a local area network (LAN),wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. The improved managementconsole as described herein may therefore be implemented on a pluralityof heterogeneous or homogeneous networked computer systems such ascomputer system 100 through one or more networks. Each computer system100 may acquire program instructions and/or data for implementing thenumerical calculation systems and methods as described herein over thenetwork.

[0110] Terminology

[0111] The following terminology will be used to describe the systemsand methods described herein. A “field” includes a rectangular area ofscreen that can contain a character string. An “operation field”includes a field that can contain an arithmetic operation such as +,−,*, /, =, etc. A “number field” includes a field that can contain anumber, formula, or function. A “comment field” includes a field thatcan contain a descriptive comment. A “line” includes a group of one ormore fields arranged contiguously side by side on the screen. In oneembodiment, a line is the smallest unit that can be added to (e.g.,inserted into) or removed from (e.g., deleted from) a calcsheet. A “calcline” includes a line with an operation field, a number field and,optionally, a comment field. FIG. 19 shows an example of a typical calcline according to one embodiment. A “calcsheet” includes a matrix oflines arranged in rows and columns. A “calculation,” also referred to asa “vertical calculation,” includes a series of calc lines in a column,where the lines include operations and numbers that define an arithmeticcalculation. FIG. 23 shows an example of a typical calcsheet accordingto one embodiment. The calcsheet in FIG. 23 includes an example of acalculation including 3 lines (A2, A3 and A4).

[0112] The field that is currently being modified is said to have the“focus.” The field that has the focus may be indicated visually by ablack box around the field. The place where character input will beplaced in the focus field's string may be indicated visually by ablinking vertical line. FIG. 17A shows an example of a calcsheet withthe focus on line A2's number field. FIG. 17B shows an example of acalcsheet with the focus on line A2's comment field.

[0113] The systems and methods described herein may combine theintuitive data entry and display format of a calculator program with thepowerful functionality of a spreadsheet, along with many additionalfeatures, to form a new classification of numerical processing programswhich may be referred to as a calcsheet. Several advantages of thecalcsheet are discussed as follows.

[0114] Multiple Columns of Vertical Calculations

[0115]FIG. 4 shows an example of a basic calcsheet screen according toone embodiment. The example calcsheet of FIG. 4 includes multiplecolumns, where two of the columns include vertical calculations. In oneembodiment, a user may type in calculations in a manner similar to theentry of calculations on a hand held calculator, and the calculationsmay be displayed in a vertical format in substantially any column in thecalcsheet.

[0116] It is not believed that any calculator program has ever brokenfrom the single column adding machine tape paradigm, and it is notbelieved that any spreadsheet has ever incorporated the ability toprocess vertical calculations. The ability to include verticalcalculations as described above in potentially multiple columns maytherefore provide significant advantages over both calculator programsand spreadsheets.

[0117] A calcsheet may enable data to be arranged in a tabular formatlike a spreadsheet. This capability may open up a new class ofcalculations of which calculator programs are not capable. For example,much more information can be placed on a single screen. Many morecalculations can be placed on the screen at the same time, allowingcalculations to be accessed much more easily (e.g., without scrolling upand down) when they need to be changed or examined. Furthermore, it ispossible to make calculations appear much more aesthetically pleasing,such that they are suitable for professional-quality business documents.

[0118] In one embodiment of a calcsheet, data can be entered in thefamiliar hand-held calculator format and displayed in the familiarvertical calculation format, making the calcsheet useful for a wholeclass of calculations for which spreadsheets are too cumbersome.Vertical calculations may therefore make a calcsheet much easier to usethan a spreadsheet for a large number of users.

[0119]FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using multiplecolumns of vertical calculations according to one embodiment. In thisexample, two columns are used for purposes of illustration, but anarbitrary number of columns (from one to n, where n is a maximum numberthat system resources will permit) may be used in one embodiment. In402, a first set of numeric values may be entered in a first pluralityof number fields, wherein the first plurality of number fields aredisplayed in columnar format on a display screen. Additionally, a firstset of one or more mathematical operators may be entered in a first setof one or more operation fields, wherein the first set of operationfields are displayed in columnar format on the display screen. Note thatin various embodiments, the numeric values and mathematical operatorsmay be entered in various orders (e.g., a numeric value, a mathematicaloperator, another numeric value, another mathematical operator, etc.).In 404, a first result may be automatically calculated by applying thefirst set of mathematical operators to the first set of numeric values.In 406, the first result may be displayed on the display screen. In oneembodiment, the first result may be displayed below the first set ofnumber fields.

[0120] The vertical calculation may use only one column. However,additional columns may be used for vertical calculations in oneembodiment. In 408, a second set of numeric values may be entered in asecond plurality of number fields, wherein the second plurality ofnumber fields are displayed in columnar format on the display screen ina different column than the first set of numeric values. A second set ofone or more mathematical operators may be entered in a second set of oneor more operation fields, wherein the second set of operation fields aredisplayed in columnar format on the display screen in a different columnthan the first set of mathematical operators. Again, note that invarious embodiments, the numeric values and mathematical operators maybe entered in various orders (e.g., a numeric value, a mathematicaloperator, another numeric value, another mathematical operator, etc.).In 410, a second result may be automatically calculated by applying thesecond set of mathematical operators to the second set of numericvalues. In 412, the second result may be displayed on the displayscreen. In one embodiment, the second result may be displayed below thesecond set of number fields.

[0121] In one embodiment, 402 through 406 may be performed substantiallysimultaneously with 408 through 412. In other words, the user may enterand/or edit a first vertical calculation at substantially the same timeas a second vertical calculation. In one embodiment, the results may bedynamically and automatically recalculated as the numeric values andmathematical operators are edited.

[0122] Hiding Fields

[0123] In one embodiment, the calcsheet provides the ability to hidefields within a column. It is not believed that this function isavailable in any spreadsheets or in calculator programs. This functionmay provide several advantages over both calculator programs andspreadsheets. Field hiding further enhances the ability of a calcsheetto be used for both vertical calculations and tabular spreadsheet stylecomputations. In FIG. 6, columns B, C, D, E and F have only the numberfields displayed: the operation and comment fields have been hidden.Therefore, those columns have the approximate appearance and function ofa spreadsheet. In contrast, column A includes a vertical calculation,and all three of its fields are shown. In one embodiment, verticalcalculations can be converted to a tabular style display by hiding theoperation and/or comment fields after the calculation has been entered.Similarly, tabular data can be converted to vertical calculations by“unhiding” the operation fields and entering operations in them.

[0124] Field hiding may make the calcsheet easier to use by allowingmore data to be placed on a single screen, thus requiring less scrollingthan a calculator program. For example, hiding the comment fields in thecalcsheet in FIG. 5 allows twice as many calculations to be displayed ona screen. Field hiding may allow a calcsheet to be less visuallyconfusing and more aesthetically pleasing by hiding unused or unwantedfields. For example, hiding operation fields can give a calcsheet aclean look, as demonstrated in FIG. 11.

[0125]FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating the use of multi-field columnswith fields that may be hidden according to one embodiment. In 520, aplurality of rows and at least one column may be displayed in a matrixon a display screen, wherein the at least one column comprises a firstset of fields and a second set of fields. The first set of fields andthe second set of fields may include one or more mathematical operatorsand one or more numeric values. Each set of fields may be displayed incolumnar format down the plurality of rows in the at least one column,and the at least one column may include a single column label whichspans the width of one of the first set of fields and one of the secondset of fields. In 522, a result may be automatically calculated byapplying the mathematical operators to the numeric values. In 524, theresult may be displayed on the display screen. In various embodiments,522 and 524 may performed at different points in the method (e.g., after520, 526, and 528).

[0126] In 526, user input may be entered (and therefore received intomemory) to hide one of the sets of fields. In 528, the at least onecolumn may be redisplayed by displaying the plurality of fields exceptfor the hidden set of fields.

[0127] In 530, in one embodiment, user input may be entered to show thehidden set of fields. In 532, the at least one column may be redisplayedby displaying all of the sets of fields, including the fields that werepreviously hidden.

[0128] Although 520 through 532 are expressed in terms of two fields ina single column, the method may be applied to an arbitrarily largenumber of fields and columns. Furthermore, a set of fields may includeoperation fields, number fields, or comment fields. In one embodiment, aresult may be automatically calculated by applying the mathematicaloperators in operation fields to the numeric values in number fields. Inone embodiment, a single column label may be displayed as spanning thefirst and second field, a first field label may be displayed for thefirst set of fields below the single column label, and a second fieldlabel may be displayed for the second set of fields in a same row as thefirst field label below the single column label.

[0129] Spreadsheet Lines and Vertical Calculations in the Same Document

[0130] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include a spreadsheet line: akind of line that only has one field which spans the width of at leastone column. In one embodiment, a spreadsheet line can include a comment,a number, or a formula. FIG. 7 shows the same calcsheet as FIG. 4,except the example in FIG. 7 includes spreadsheet lines that containtext data. Lines A1, A3, B3 and B12 in FIG. 7 are spreadsheet lines thatcontain descriptive comments. FIG. 8 shows a calcsheet that hasspreadsheet lines (A7 through D10) with numerical data.

[0131] The ability to combine single-field spreadsheet lines withmulti-field vertical calculation lines in a calcsheet may provide asignificant advantage over calculator programs in at least two ways.First, the combination may allow a calcsheet to be much easier to readand understand and much more aesthetically pleasing by allowing commentsto span multiple fields. This difference can be seen by comparing FIG.4, without comments, and FIG. 7, with comments. This feature may alsomake it possible to produce a professional-looking business documentwith numerical data that is entered in the same familiar, intuitive waythat it would be entered on a hand-held calculator. Second, thecombination may allow the calcsheet to be used for both tabularrepetitive data and vertical calculations, as shown in FIG. 8. Thisfeature is not believed to be found in any calculator program orspreadsheet. More specifically, as FIG. 8 shows, the same column maycontain vertical calculations as well as tabular spreadsheet data. Thisability may allow a calcsheet to be arranged in a logical, easy to read,and aesthetically pleasing way.

[0132]FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating the use of spreadsheet linesand vertical calculations in a single document according to oneembodiment. In 480, user input may be entered into a computer system(and received into a memory of the computer system), wherein the userinput comprises a plurality of numeric values, one or more mathematicaloperators, and a character string.

[0133] In 482, a window may be displayed on a display screen coupled tothe computer system, wherein the window comprises a plurality of rowsand at least one column, wherein the at least one column comprises aplurality of number fields and a plurality of operation fields. In 484,the mathematical operators may be displayed in columnar format in theoperation fields, the numeric values may be displayed in columnar formatin the number fields, and the character string may be displayed in oneof the rows such that the character string spans a width of at least oneof the operation fields and one of the number fields. In variousembodiments, 480 through 484 may be performed in different orders.

[0134] In 490, a result may be automatically calculated by applying themathematical operators to the numeric values. In 492, the result may bedisplayed on the display screen. In one embodiment, multiple columns maybe used, and each column may include one or more operation fields andone or more number fields. In one embodiment, a plurality of commentfields which may contain comment strings may be used.

[0135] The character string may be interpreted as different types ofdata. In one embodiment, the character string may be interpreted as oneor more numeric values. In automatically calculating the result byapplying the mathematical operators to the numeric values, themathematical operators may be applied to the character string. In oneembodiment, the character string may be interpreted as one or moremathematical operators. In automatically calculating the result byapplying the mathematical operators to the numeric values, the characterstring may be applied to the numeric values. In one embodiment, thecharacter string may be interpreted as one or more formulas. A result ofat least one of the formulas may be calculated to generate a resultingnumeric value. In one embodiment, the character string may beinterpreted as one or more references to numeric values in other numberfields. At least one of the references may be resolved to generate aresulting numeric value.

[0136] Formulas in Number Fields

[0137] In one embodiment, calcsheets may include formulas in numberfields. FIGS. 9A and 9B and FIG. 10 show calcsheets with formulas innumber fields of calc lines. The ability to put a formula in a numberfield is a powerful feature that has significant advantages.

[0138] This ability may further enhance the utility of a calcsheet forboth vertical calculations and tabular, spreadsheet-style computations.FIG. 10 shows an example of a spreadsheet style table (columns B throughG) constructed using calc lines that have their operation and commentfields hidden. The number fields of lines G4, G5, G6, G7 and G8 haveformulas in them that add the four lines to their left. The formula ofline G4 is shown as it is being edited. Note that the calcsheet alsocontains a vertical calculation in column A.

[0139] In one embodiment, vertical calculations may be simplified. FIGS.9A and 9B show a modified version of the calcsheet in FIG. 7. Instead ofthe three lines in FIG. 7 for automobile related expenses (lines A6, A7and A8), FIGS. 9A and 9B include only one line, A6, that combines all ofthese expenses.

[0140] In one embodiment, vertical calculations may be used for morecomplex calculations. The formulas in a number field may be arbitrarilycomplex arithmetic expressions with parentheses and advancedmathematical, trigonometric, statistical, and business functions.Therefore, it may be possible to use vertical calculations for verycomplex calculations that would either be very awkward or impossible toexpress with a calculator program.

[0141]FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating the use of formulas in numberfields according to one embodiment. In 420, a plurality of numericvalues may be entered (and therefore received into a computer memory) ina plurality of number fields. The plurality of number fields may bedisplayed in columnar format on a display screen. In one embodiment, thenumeric values comprise at least one mathematical formula. In oneembodiment, a set of one or more mathematical operators may also beentered in one or more operation fields, wherein the operation fieldsare displayed in columnar format on the display screen. In oneembodiment, the number fields and the operation fields may be displayedin adjacent columns (i.e., columnar fields) which share a first singlecolumn label.

[0142] In 422, a first result of the mathematical formula may beautomatically calculated. In one embodiment, the first result may bedisplayed on the display screen in the number field in which themathematical formula was entered. In one embodiment, horizontal formulasmay be used. In this embodiment, the mathematical formula and the firstresult of the mathematical formula may be displayed in one of the numberfields. An equality character may be entered after entering themathematical formula, and the first result may be displayed after theentering the equality character.

[0143] In 424, a second result may be automatically calculated as afunction of the first result and the numeric values other than the atleast one mathematical formula. In one embodiment, the second result mayalso be calculated as a function of the mathematical operators.

[0144] In 426, the second result may be displayed on the display screen.In one embodiment, the second result may be displayed in the same columnas the column in which the plurality of numeric values were entered.

[0145] In one embodiment, 420 through 426 may be used in a matrix offields having multiple columns. In this embodiment, a third result maybe calculated and displayed based on numeric values in number fields ina second column.

[0146] Changing the Order of Fields

[0147] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include the ability to changethe order of fields within a column. FIG. 11 illustrates this feature.FIG. 11 shows the same calcsheet as FIG. 7, except in FIG. 11 thecomment fields are displayed on the left side of the number field andthe operation fields are hidden. This is a format that is often used incorporate financial statements: descriptive comment on the left andnumbers on the right. FIG. 11 is therefore an example of how thecalcsheet, unlike a spreadsheet or calculator program, may allow data tobe entered in the intuitive calculator input format and displayed in aformat that is suitable for professional quality business documents.

[0148]FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating the use of multi-field columnswith modifiable field order according to one embodiment. In 500, a firstset of data may be entered (and therefore received into memory) in afirst set of fields displayed in columnar format in a first column on adisplay screen. In 502, a second set of data may be entered in a secondset of fields displayed in columnar format in the first column on thedisplay screen, wherein the first column comprises the first set offields displayed vertically and the second set of fields displayedvertically, and wherein the first column comprises a single column labelwhich spans the width of one of the first set of fields and one of thesecond set of fields. In 504, the first set of data may be displayed inthe first set of fields and the second set of data in the second set offields, wherein the first set of fields is displayed to the left of thesecond set of fields.

[0149] In 506, a user may enter input (such as by use of a mouse and/orkeyboard, for example) to display the fields in a different order. In508, the first set of data may be redisplayed in the first set of fieldsand the second set of data may be redisplayed in the second set offields, wherein the first set of fields is displayed to the right of thesecond set of fields.

[0150] Although 500 through 508 are expressed in terms of two fields ina single column, the method may be applied to an arbitrarily largenumber of fields and columns. Furthermore, a set of data and fields mayinclude, respectively, mathematical operators and operation fields,numeric values and number fields, and comment strings and commentfields. In one embodiment, a result may be automatically calculated byapplying the mathematical operators to the numeric values. In oneembodiment, a single column label may be displayed as spanning the firstand second field, a first field label may be displayed for the first setof fields below the single column label, and a second field label may bedisplayed for the second set of fields in a same row as the first fieldlabel below the single column label.

[0151] Parentheses in Vertical Calculations

[0152] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include the ability to putparentheses in separate lines of a vertical calculation in order tomodify the order of evaluation. This ability is shown in FIG. 14, wherethe calculation in column B is the same as the calculation in column Abut with parentheses added. It is not believed that this feature can befound in any calculator program or spreadsheet.

[0153]FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating the use of verticalparentheses according to one embodiment. In 540, one or moremathematical operators and a plurality of numeric values may be entered(and therefore received into memory). In 542, the mathematical operatorsmay be displayed in one or more operation fields in columnar format downat least one of a plurality of rows on a display screen, and the numericvalues may be displayed in a plurality of number fields in columnarformat down the plurality of rows on the display screen. The operatorsand numeric values may be displayed as they are individually entered.

[0154] In 544, an open parenthesis character may be entered in a fieldin an upper row, and a close parenthesis character may be entered in afield in a lower row, wherein the lower row is displayed below the upperrow on the display screen. In various embodiments, the parentheses maybe entered into number fields, operation fields, comment fields, or acombination of fields. In various embodiments, steps 540, 542, and 544may be performed in a different order or substantially simultaneously.

[0155] In 546, a result may be automatically calculated by applying theset of mathematical operators to the set of numeric values and byfollowing an order of evaluation which respects the open and closeparentheses. Various orders of evaluation are discussed elsewhereherein. In 548, the result may be displayed on the display screen. Inone embodiment, 540 through 548 may be performed for a plurality ofcolumns.

[0156] Calculator Input Mode

[0157] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may include a calculator inputmode. In this mode, as the user enters calculations in hand-heldcalculator format, the calcsheet responds to each character as it isentered and automatically inserts new lines, switches input focus to theappropriate fields, places characters into the appropriate fields, andperforms any other tasks needed to display the calculations vertically.This feature may provide a significant advantage over existingcalculator programs which fail to provide a clear visual indicator ofhow the tape will be modified as calculations are entered. It isbelieved that existing calculator programs also do not allow newvertical calculations to be entered while editing previously entereddata. Spreadsheets, of course, do not support vertical calculations (asdescribed herein) at all.

[0158]FIG. 48 is a flowchart illustrating the use of calculator inputmode according to one embodiment. In 440, a first input numeric valuemay be entered (and therefore received into a memory). In 442, a firstoutput numeric value may be determined based on the first input numericvalue. In 444, the first output numeric value may be displayed in afirst field on a display screen, wherein the first field comprises anintersection of a first column and a first row. In one embodiment, step444 may be performed substantially simultaneously with (e.g.,immediately after) steps 440 and 442.

[0159] In 446, a mathematical operator may be entered. In 448, inputfocus may be automatically switched to a second field in response to theentering the mathematical operator, wherein the second field isdisplayed below the first field on the display screen. In oneembodiment, the second field may be automatically inserted in responseto the entering the mathematical operator, wherein the second fieldcomprises an intersection of the first column and a second row below thefirst field, and wherein the second field is initially displayed asempty.

[0160] In 450, a second input numeric value may be entered. In 452, asecond output numeric value may be determined based on the second inputnumeric value. In 454, the second output numeric value may be displayedin the second field on the display screen. In one embodiment, step 454may be performed substantially simultaneously with (e.g., immediatelyafter) steps 450 and 452. In some cases, one of the output numericvalues may be substantially identical in form to its corresponding inputnumeric value. 440 through 454 may be repeated until all input numericvalues and mathematical operators in a desired calculation have beenreceived into the memory, as shown in 456. In 458, a result of the inputnumeric values and mathematical operators entered in steps 440 through456 may be automatically calculated.

[0161] In 460, the result may be automatically displayed at a field onthe display screen in the first column below the output numeric valuesand mathematical operators. In one embodiment, one or more of the inputnumeric values or mathematical operators may be modified by the user inits location on the display screen. The result of the input numericvalues and mathematical operators may then be recalculated andredisplayed.

[0162] In one embodiment, 440 through 460 may be performed in a secondcolumn on the display screen.

[0163] Subtotal Function

[0164] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may use a subtotal function. Asubtotal function may be entered into a number field and may return asubtotal of one or more numeric values in number fields preceding thenumber field in which the subtotal function was entered. In oneembodiment, the subtotal function will apply the appropriatemathematical operators to the numeric values in all the number fieldsabove that of the subtotal function. If, however, the subtotal functionfollows an open parenthesis character (e.g., an open parenthesischaracter appears on a line preceding the line with the subtotalfunction), then the function will return the subtotal starting from theline containing the previous open parenthesis character. In other words,vertical parentheses may be used to select a subset of the precedingnumber fields to sum. In one embodiment, the subtotal function may bepart of a larger mathematical formula. In other words, the subtotalfunction may be evaluated, and then the resulting value may be used inanother formula.

[0165]FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating the use of using a subtotalfunction according to one embodiment. In 560, a plurality of numericvalues may be entered (and therefore received into a computer memory) ina plurality of number fields. The plurality of number fields may bedisplayed in columnar format on a display screen. In one embodiment, thenumeric values include at least one mathematical formula, and themathematical formula includes a subtotal function. In one embodiment, aset of one or more mathematical operators may also be entered in one ormore operation fields, wherein the operation fields are displayed incolumnar format on the display screen. In one embodiment, the numberfields and the operation fields may be displayed in adjacent columns(i.e., columnar fields) which share a first single column label.

[0166] In 562, a first result of the mathematical formula may beautomatically calculated, including automatically calculating a subtotalof a plurality of the numeric values in a plurality of number fieldspreceding the number field in which the mathematical formula wasentered. For example, all the number fields preceding the number fieldwith the formula, or some subset of those fields, may be subtotaled byapplying the appropriate mathematical operators. In one embodiment, thefirst result may be displayed on the display screen in the number fieldin which the mathematical formula was entered. In one embodiment,horizontal formulas may be used. In this embodiment, the mathematicalformula and the first result of the mathematical formula may bedisplayed in one of the number fields. An equality character may beentered after entering the mathematical formula, and the first resultmay be displayed after the entering the equality character.

[0167] In 564, a second result may be automatically calculated as afunction of the first result and the numeric values other than the atleast one mathematical formula. In one embodiment, the second result mayalso be calculated as a function of the mathematical operators.

[0168] In 566, the second result may be displayed on the display screen.In one embodiment, the second result may be displayed in the same columnas the column in which the plurality of numeric values were entered.

[0169] In one embodiment, 560 through 566 may be used in a matrix offields having multiple columns. In this embodiment, a third result maybe calculated and displayed based on numeric values in number fields ina second column.

[0170] Single Key Editing and Navigation

[0171] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may be easily modified (e.g.,navigated and/or edited) using single keystrokes. One advantages of acalcsheet over spreadsheets and calculator programs is the ease withwhich a calcsheet may be modified. In one embodiment, when editing afield in a calcsheet, the user may switch to editing any adjacent fieldwith a single keystroke using the arrow or tab keys. Therefore, the usermay navigate anywhere in a calcsheet and edit any field using only thearrow keys, which usually are grouped together on a keyboard.

[0172] Single-key editing and navigation may provide a significantusability advantage. In calculator programs, it is not believed to bepossible to use the keyboard to switch editing to an adjacent field.Instead, the user must double click on the adjacent field with themouse. Spreadsheets do allow the user to switch editing to an adjacentcell with the keyboard but instead require multiple keystrokes to do so,and typically with keys that are not grouped together on the keyboard.

[0173]FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B show how hitting the right arrow or righttab key switches from editing the number field, FIG. 17A, to editing thecomment field, FIG. 17B, in one embodiment. The user can now immediatelymodify the existing comment text. In one embodiment, the up arrow, downarrow, left arrow, and left tab keys can also be used to switch editingto fields above, below or to the left of the field being edited.

[0174] Basics of Operation: Lines, Fields, Rows, and Columns

[0175] In one embodiment, a calcsheet includes lines which are arrangedin a matrix of rows and columns on a display screen of a computersystem. A line is typically displayed as a rectangular area on thescreen. A line includes one or more fields, and each field may have acharacter string associated with it. A field may be displayed as arectangular area on the screen in which its character string isdisplayed, a shown in FIG. 18A. A field's character string may be empty,in which case no characters are displayed in the field. A line that hasat least one field whose string is not empty is referred to as anon-null line. If each field in a line has an empty string then the lineis referred to as a null line or an empty line. In one embodiment, thefields in a line are arranged contiguously, side by side on the screen.In one embodiment, each field in a line is the same height, each line ina row is the same height, and each line in a column is the same width.

[0176] In one embodiment, when a line is inserted into a column,substantially all the subsequent lines in the column are moved down onthe screen. Likewise, when a line is deleted from a column,substantially all the subsequent lines in the column are moved up on thescreen.

[0177] Two specific types of fields are an operation field and a numberfield. A calc line (also referred to as a calculation line) is aparticular type of line that has at least an operation field and anumber field, and may have other fields as well, such as a commentfield. An example of a calc line with an operation field 2, a numberfield 3, and a comment field 4 is shown in FIG. 19.

[0178] Operation Field

[0179] In one embodiment, a calc line's operation field is used tocontain a character string such as “+”, “−”, “*” or “/” that representsan arithmetic operation to be performed on the numeric values of thenumber fields of calc lines. The arithmetic operation that the stringrepresents is referred to as the calc line's operation or arithmeticoperation.

[0180] Number Field

[0181] In one embodiment, a calc line's number field is used to containa character string that represents a numeric value, which may bereferred to as the calc line's value or numeric value. As used herein,“entering (or receiving into memory) a numeric value” may includeentering (or receiving into memory) the character string that representsthe numeric value. The character string input by a user may also bereferred to as an input numeric value. A number field string can be aliteral number, such as “−123.45” or “3.1415E+03”. A number field stringcan be a reference to another line in the calcsheet, such as “B3” whichrefers to the line in column B, row 3 of the calcsheet (line B3). In oneembodiment, the numeric value of a reference string is the numeric valueof the number field of the line it refers to.

[0182] A number field string can also be a function which evaluates to anumber, such as “cos(90)” or “sum(A2, A3, A4)”. A number field stringcan also be a formula that represents a number. In one embodiment, aformula is string with numeric entries separated by operation characters(see the section “Input Characters” for a definition of operationcharacters). An example of a formula is “4 * 12+36” which evaluates tothe number 84. In addition to literal numbers, a formula's numericentries may include references and functions. A formula can also containparentheses to modify the order of evaluation. For example if the lineB3 has a numeric value of 8, then the formula “4 * (−55/(B3+3))+sin(90)” evaluates to the numeric value −19. In order todetermine how to interpret a number field's character string, acalcsheet may analyze the string and determine if it is a valid literalnumber, reference, function, or formula.

[0183] The format of a function or reference may vary widely. In oneembodiment, for example, functions and formulas may be prefixed by an“=” character, e.g. “=sum(A2, A3, A4)” and “=B3”, which is a format usedby many spreadsheets. Characters other than parentheses and commas maybe used to specify parameters to a function, e.g. “sum<A2 A3 A4>” uses“<” and “>” to enclose the parameters and blanks to separate parametersfrom each other.

[0184] A number field has an output character string that is displayedwhen the number field does not have the focus (the concept of focus isdescribed below). The output string may be referred to herein as anoutput numeric value. The output character string may be generated fromthe number field's character string and may contain the numeric value ofthe character string in some format specified by the user. For example,if the character string is “1234”, then the output string might be“1,234.00” or “1.234E+03”. FIG. 18A shows a number field with itscharacter string displayed in it, and FIG. 18B shows the same fielddisplaying an output character string that is formatted to have 2decimal places. As used herein, “displaying a numeric value” may includedisplaying the output character string and/or the input characterstring.

[0185] Other Fields

[0186] A calc line may also contain other types of fields, including acomment field. A comment field is used to contain a character stringthat provides descriptive commentary. FIG. 19 shows an example of a calcline with an operation field 2, a number field 3, and a comment field 4.

[0187] Visual Aids

[0188] In one embodiment, a calcsheet has visual constructs displayed tohelp the user distinguish the rows, columns and fields. For example,grid lines may be drawn around each field's rectangle. At the top ofeach column, a column header may be displayed indicating which column(A, B, C etc.) it is. FIG. 20 shows a column header 7. At the top ofeach column a field header may also be displayed over each fieldindicating which type of field (operation, number, comment, etc.) it is.FIG. 21 shows a column with field headers 5. In one embodiment, thecolumn and field headers are displayed at the top of each screen nomatter which rows are visible on the screen. To the side of each row, arow header may be displayed indicating which row (1, 2, 3 etc.) it is.FIG. 22 shows a row header 6. In one embodiment, the row header istypically displayed on the side of the screen no matter which columnsare visible.

[0189] Focus

[0190] The term focus is used to describe a location at which inputcharacters will be sent in a calcsheet, e.g., which field is beingedited. The field that will receive character input is said to have thefocus, it is also referred to as the focus field. In one embodiment,only one field in a calcsheet may have the focus at any given time. Theterm focus character refers to the zero-based index into the focusfield's string where input characters will be placed. When the focuscharacter is the “zeroth” character in a field's string (i.e., any inputcharacter will be placed at the start of the string), then the focuscharacter is said to be at the start of the field. When the focuscharacter is the last character in a field's string (i.e., any inputcharacter will be appended to the end of the string), the focuscharacter is said to be at the end of the field. The line that containsthe focus field is said to have the focus, and it is also referred to asthe focus line. The column and row that contain the focus line are alsosaid to have the focus, and are referred to as the focus column and thefocus row. In one embodiment, it is possible to change which field hasthe focus. The phrase set the focus to a field means to cause subsequentcharacter input to be sent to a field. Setting the focus to a field isalso referred to as setting the focus to the line that contains thefield.

[0191] In FIG. 23, line A3 has the focus. Specifically, line A3'scomment field is the focus field, which is indicated visually by drawinga black box around the field. The focus character is zero. Therefore, ifa character is typed in, the character will be placed at the beginningposition in the character string, or before the letter “o”, because thefocus is at the start of the field. In one embodiment, the focuscharacter is identified on the screen by a visual indicator. The visualindicator of the focus character is commonly referred to as a cursor. InFIG. 23, the cursor is displayed as a vertical line just before the “o”in the line A3's comment field. This convention will be used torepresent the cursor in all figures throughout this description, thoughthere are many other techniques that can be used to visually identifythe focus character. Note that drawing a black box around the focusfield is not required, but it is helpful in order to visually identifythe focus field.

[0192] Focus Indicator in Headers

[0193] In FIG. 23, the column that contains the focus line, column A,has its column header differentiated visually in that it is made to lookindented. This differentiation indicates that a line in column A has thefocus. Similarly the row header for the row that contains the focusline, row 3, is differentiated visually, as is the field header for thefocus field (the comment field of column A). Having multiple columnswith multiple fields in each column makes it difficult for the user todistinguish which line and which field within that line has the focus.The combination of a visually different column header and a visuallydifferent field header is particularly useful for helping to identifythe line and field that have the focus. It is not believed that anycalculator program or spreadsheet includes this function. (Note that inthese examples, the technique for visually differentiating the headersis to make them appear to be indented, although any number of othertechniques would work as well, as long as the focus headers are visuallydistinct.)

[0194] Single Edit String

[0195] In one embodiment, one variation on focus is to display a single“edit string” in a line's rectangle when the line has the focus, insteadof displaying each of the line's field strings in their individual fieldrectangles. The edit string may include the character strings of each ofa line's fields combined into one string, with delimiter charactersseparating each field's strings within the edit string. The delimitercharacter may be any character, including a blank or a tab, both ofwhich are commonly used to delimit fields within a character string in amany applications. Thus a substring of the edit string may correspond toeach of the fields of the focus line. Changes to the edit string may besaved in the corresponding character string of each field in the line.When the line loses focus, each field may have its character stringdisplayed in it (or its output string in the case of a number field).FIGS. 24A and 24B show an example using blanks as delimiter characters.FIG. 24A shows line A2 when it has the focus. The operation field string“+” and the number field string “2” and the comment field string“oranges” have been combined with blanks in between them into one editstring, “+2 oranges”, which is displayed in line 2 instead of displayingthe individual field character strings. FIG. 24B shows line A2 when itis not being edited: the operation, number and comment strings aredisplayed in their respective fields.

[0196] An edit string may not have a substring and a delimiter for eachfield of a line, in which case one or more field strings of the linewill be empty strings. In this case, the edit string may be interpretedin context to determine which fields' strings will correspond tosubstrings of the edit string. For example, in a line with the editstring “1 apple”, the substring “1” will correspond to the number fieldstring, the substring “apple” will correspond to the comment fieldstring, and the operation field string will be empty. Line A1 in FIG.24A shows how a line with an edit string of “1 apple” looks when theline does not have the focus. In one embodiment, a line's field stringsare “logical” constructs, and though they are displayed as separatestrings, they may or may not be “physically” stored as separate stringsby the calcsheet program. Likewise, a line's edit string is also a“logical” construct, and although it is displayed as a single string, itmay or may not be stored as a single string by the calcsheet program.

[0197] Character Input Means

[0198] It is recommended that a calcsheet have a means for inputtingcharacters, referred to as a character input means, which takes inputfrom a human operator and translates it into input characters which aresent to the calcsheet program. Examples of means for entering charactersinclude a keyboard, voice recognition means, and graphical calculatorsoftware for use with a pointer device (e.g., a mouse). A calcsheet mayuse any combination of these devices. As shown in FIG. 43, a typicalcomputer has a keyboard which will supply input characters tosubstantially any program that runs on the computer.

[0199] Unlike a keyboard, a graphical calculator input means istypically not standard with a computer. An example calculator window ofa basic graphical calculator character input means is illustrated inFIG. 28A. It includes a pointer device such as a mouse that the user canuse to point to a button and click on it. An image such as FIG. 28A isdisplayed on the screen with buttons representing the numbers 0 through9, a decimal character (i.e. “.”), plus the basic arithmetic operations.When the user clicks on a button with the pointer device, the characterthat the button represents is input to the calcsheet. For example,clicking on the “+button” will input the character “+”, clicking on the“4 button” will input the character “4”, etc. A graphical calculator mayinclude a one line display window, such as the one in the top of FIG.28B, which emulates the display on a hand held calculator and displaysnumbers as they are entered and totals as they are calculated. Agraphical calculator may also include buttons for the letters of thealphabet and/or for punctuation symbols, etc.

[0200] Input Characters

[0201] In one embodiment, an input character is a logical constructwhich has a character value and may also include other information thatis specific to the input means. For example, with a keyboard inputdevice an input character may include information such as whether actrl, alt, or shift key was depressed when the character was entered.Further expanding this example, on many keyboards a single key, known asthe tab key, is used for both the left tab and right tab functions. Ifthe tab key is hit without simultaneously depressing the shift key, thenthe right tab function is performed, but if the tab key is hit whilesimultaneously depressing the shift key then the left tab function isperformed. A left tab input character might then include a charactervalue indicating that the tab key has been hit plus an indicator thatthe shift key was depressed. On the other hand, the keyboard input meansmay generate a unique character value for the left tab function, with noindicator of whether the shift key was depressed.

[0202] The term “logical construct” here means that an input characteris not necessarily implemented as a single object, structure, or as asingle contiguous section of storage. For example, information aboutwhether a key such as ctrl or shift was depressed when the character wasentered might be obtained by invoking an operating system service ratherthan examining some data in an input character structure. Suchinformation might also be provided to the calcsheet application by theoperating system in the form of one or more parameters that are suppliedto a character input handling routine. The way that information about aninput character is supplied is largely determined by the operatingsystem that the application is developed for and/or the softwaredevelopment tool that the application is developed with.

[0203] Characters may be classified into two separate groups: textcharacters and control characters. Text characters include visibledisplay characters, including letters, numbers, punctuation marks, andother symbols. Control characters represent requests by the user toperform a function. Control characters may include “non-text” keys on akeyboard, such as the page up, page down, and arrow keys. Controlcharacters may also be generated by hitting a text character key on thekeyboard, such as “F”, often while some other key, such as a ctrl key,is depressed.

[0204] In one embodiment, the numeric separator character is a textcharacter that is used to separate groups of digits. The character thatis used for a numeric separator varies by country and/or language. Inthe United States it is typically a “,” and is used to separate everythree digits to the left of the decimal point. In many Europeancountries it is a “.”. The decimal character is a text character that isused to separate the whole part of a number from the fractional part,and it also varies by country and/or language. In the United States itis usually a “.”, in many European countries it is a “,”. The textcharacters “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, plus thedecimal character, are collectively called numeric characters. The textcharacters “+”, “−”, “*”, and “/” are called operation characters andmay represent the arithmetic operations addition, subtraction,multiplication and division respectively. The character “x” may also beused to represent multiplication. A total operation character is acharacter that is used to cause a total calc line to be generated. Thecharacter used for a total operation character is arbitrary, and morethan one character may be used. The text character “=” is often used incalculator programs. Some calculator programs use the character “T” (fortotal) or “S” (for sum). For clarity and consistency in this inventiondescription, the string “=” will be used to designate the totaloperation.

[0205] Vertical Calculations

[0206] A vertical calculation (also referred to as a calculation) is acontiguous series of calc lines in a column that can be evaluated toproduce a value by applying the arithmetic operations of the calc linesto the numeric values of the calc lines.

[0207] In one embodiment, each calc line is associated with a verticalcalculation (i.e., the vertical calculation that contains that calcline). At a minimum, a calc line's vertical calculation may include thecalc line itself. When a change is made to a calc line's number oroperation field, the calc line's vertical calculation may be evaluated.This can be done at any or all of several points: for example, when thefield loses focus, every time a character is entered, or when a specificcommand is issued by the user to cause re-evaluation. For example, FIG.14 contains a calculation including lines A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. Each ofthese lines is said to have that calculation associated with it. If thenumber or operation field of any of these lines is changed, then thecalculation will be reevaluated in one embodiment.

[0208] There are various formats that vertical calculations may havewhich are determined by the order that the operations are applied to thenumeric values. These orders of evaluation are discussed as follows.

[0209] Sequential Order of Evaluation

[0210] In sequential order of evaluation according to one embodiment,the four basic arithmetic operations, “+”, “−”, “*”, and “/” operate ontwo numbers known as operands. The first operand is the value of thevertical calculation up to the operation, and the second operand is inthe number field of the calc line that the operation is in. Insequential order of evaluation, each operation is applied to each numberin the sequential order that they appear in the calculation. Thecalculation in column A in FIG. 14 demonstrates sequential evaluation: 3is added to 4 producing a value of 7, which is added to 5 producing avalue of 12, which is multiplied by 6 to produce a final value of 72 forthe calculation.

[0211] Algebraic Order of Evaluation

[0212] Algebraic order of evaluation is similar to sequential order,except that all multiplication and division operations are performedbefore any addition and subtraction operations, and those results areused as operands for any adjacent addition or subtraction operations.Multiplication and division operations are performed first in the orderthat they appear in the calculation, and then addition and subtractionoperations are performed in the order that they appear in thecalculation. The calculation in column A in FIG. 15 demonstratesalgebraic evaluation. The multiplication operations are performed first:3 is multiplied by 4 producing a value of 12, 5 is then multiplied by 6producing a value of 30. Then the addition operation is performed on theresults of the multiplication operations: 12 is added to 30 producing afinal value of 42 for the calculation.

[0213] Adding Machine Order of Evaluation

[0214] Another popular order of evaluation for vertical calculations isadding machine order, which is commonly used in the paper tape of addingmachines. Adding machine order is based on the way calculations areentered on an adding machine: when a number is entered it must befollowed by a “+” or “−” which indicates whether the number will beadded or subtracted from a calculation value. Thus an adding machineformat calculation may include a series of calc lines with a number inthe number field and an addition or subtraction operation in theoperation field. When evaluating an adding machine format calculation,the calcsheet may maintain a calculation value to which it adds orsubtracts each number in the calculation based on the operation in thecalc line.

[0215] Using adding machine order, the calculation in column A of FIG.41 would be evaluated as follows: The calculation value is initializedto zero, then 1 is added to the calculation value because the numberfield of line A1 is 1 and the operation field is a “+”, then 2 issubtracted from the calculation value because line A2's number field is2 and its operation is “−”, and then 3 is added to the calculation valuebecause line A3 has 3 in its number field and its operation field is“+”. The total operation in line A4 may cause the calculation value, 2,to be displayed in line A4's number field. Note that the operation fieldis to the right of the number field, which is typical but not requiredfor adding machine format calculations.

[0216] There are various schemes used by adding machines and calculatorprograms for allowing multiplication and division operations to be in anadding machine format vertical calculation. Examples of two possibleorders of evaluation are shown in columns B and C of FIG. 40 and aredescribed below, though other orders could also be used.

[0217] The order of evaluation demonstrated in column B of FIG. 41 is asfollows: the calculation value is initialized to zero, 1 is added to thecalculation value since line B1 has a number field of 1 and an operationof “+”, 2 is multiplied by 3 since line B2 has a number field of 2 andan operation of “*” and line B3 has a number field of 3, yielding avalue of 6 for the multiplication which is then added to the calculationvalue since the operation field of line B3 is a “+”. Finally, the totalsoperation in line B4 may cause the calculation value of 7 to bedisplayed in line B4's number field.

[0218] The order of evaluation demonstrated in column C of FIG. 41 is asfollows: the calculation value is initialized to zero, 1 is added to thecalculation value since line C1 has a number field of 1 and an operationof “+”, 2 is multiplied by 3 since line C2 has a number field of 2 andan operation of “*” and line C3 has a number field of 3, yielding avalue of 6 for the multiplication which is then displayed in the numberfield of line C4 because line C3's operation field is a total operation.6 is then added to the calculation value since the operation field ofline C4 is a “+”. Finally, the totals operation in line C5 may cause thecalculation value of 7 to be displayed in line C5's number field.

[0219] Equals Lines

[0220] A calcsheet may draw a horizontal line above the characterstrings of the number and operation fields of total calc lines. Thishorizontal line is known as an equals line. Changing the operation froma total operation to some other operation may cause the equals line tobe erased. FIG. 35A shows an equals line drawn between line A3 and lineA4 because line A4 is a total calc line. FIG. 35B shows that, in oneembodiment, the equals line is erased when the operation is changed toaddition. The thickness of the equals line will be proportional to thefont that is used to display the number field of the total calc line.FIG. 36 shows how the equals line increases in thickness when a larger,thicker font is used. The equals line may be drawn anywhere in betweenthe character strings of the operation and number fields of the totalcalc line and the character strings of the operation and number fieldsof the line before the total calc line. FIG. 36 shows an equals linethat is drawn partly in line A4 and partly in line A3. Drawing theequals line in the line before the total calc line, closer to thatline's operation and number field strings, provides an aestheticallypleasing vertical spacing, as shown in FIG. 37. Increasing the height ofa total calc line to accommodate the equals line also provides anaesthetically pleasing vertical spacing. FIG. 38 shows a total calcline, line A4, that is several pixels taller than the other lines whichdo not have total operations. It is not believed that any calculatorprogram or spreadsheet draws an equals line for a total operation.

[0221] Horizontal Calculations

[0222] In one embodiment, a calcsheet may permit “horizontalcalculations” in a field such as a number field. A horizontalcalculation may include a formula (e.g., a sequence of values andoperators, possibly including functions and/or references, or any othersequence that can be evaluated) entered into a field. The formula andits result may be displayed, for example, when the entry in the field isnot being edited. In one embodiment, the user may indicate that theresult is to be calculated and displayed by entering an equalitycharacter (or other suitable indicator) such as an equals-sign (“=”)after the formula. This equality character may be displayed between theformula and the result. For example, if a number field contains thestring “1+2*3=”, then when it is not being edited, “1+2*3=7” may bedisplayed in the field. In an example shown in FIG. 45, if a user entersthe formula “3+cos(25)” and then an equality character, the calcsheetmay display the formula and its result “3.91” when the field containingthe formula is not being edited. The horizontal calculationfunctionality may make a calcsheet significantly more versatile than anyexisting calculator or spreadsheet.

[0223] Vertical Parentheses

[0224] A powerful feature of one embodiment of the calcsheet that is notbelieved to be found in any spreadsheet or calculator program is theability to modify the order of evaluation of a vertical calculation withparentheses. An opening parenthesis in one line of a verticalcalculation and a corresponding closing parenthesis in a subsequent lineof the calculation are referred to as vertical parentheses. Theparentheses may be entered into the character strings of fields of linesin the vertical calculation. Lines inside vertical parentheses areevaluated first. If there are multiple levels of vertical parentheses(nested parentheses) then lines will be evaluated in the order ofinnermost to outermost parentheses.

[0225] Vertical parentheses may be used in combination with eithersequential or algebraic evaluation. The calculation in column B of FIG.14 shows how the sequential order of evaluation of the calculation incolumn A can be changed with vertical parentheses. First, the lines inthe vertical parentheses are evaluated: 4 is added to 5 producing aresult of 9, which is then multiplied by 6 to produce a value of 54 forthe lines in the parentheses. This value is then added to 3 to produce afinal value of 57 for the vertical calculation. The lines insidevertical parentheses are evaluated in sequential order, as are any linesthat are not in vertical parentheses. Sequential order of evaluationmodified by vertical parentheses is referred to assequential-parenthetical order of evaluation.

[0226] The calculation in column B in FIG. 15 shows algebraic order ofevaluation modified by vertical parentheses, which may be referred to asalgebraic-parenthetical order of evaluation. First, the lines in thevertical parentheses are evaluated: 5 is multiplied by 6 producing aresult of 30, which is then added to 4 to produce a value of 34 for thelines in the parentheses. This value is then multiplied by 3 to producea final value of 102 for the vertical calculation. The lines insidevertical parentheses are evaluated in algebraic order, as are any linesthat are not in vertical parentheses. In the examples in FIG. 14 andFIG. 15, both the opening and closing parentheses are in number fields,but in one embodiment, a vertical calculation may have the opening andclosing parentheses in any field (e.g., opening parenthesis in a anoperation field and the closing parenthesis in a comment field).

[0227] When a vertical parenthesis is in a number field, it may beincluded in the number field's character string, as shown in FIG. 40A.The vertical parenthesis may also be displayed with the number field'soutput character string when the number field does not have the focus,as shown in FIG. 40B. This feature may be implemented by making theparenthesis part of the output character string or by drawing theparenthesis separately from the output character string.

[0228] Multi-Row Calc Lines

[0229] In one embodiment, a way to allow a calc line to have multiplelines of comment text is with multi-row calc lines. A multi-row calcline is a single calc line that occupies several rows within a column;that is, it takes up the space of several contiguous lines within acolumn. FIG. 30A shows line A2 with a single line of text in its commentfield. When text is added to line A2's comment field character stringsuch that another line is required to display the character string, allthe lines below line A2 in column A are moved down one line and line A2is expanded to occupy the space of rows 2 and 3 in column A. The resultis shown in FIG. 30B. When more text is added to line A2's comment fieldstring such that yet another line is required to display the characterstring, the process is repeated and the result is shown in FIG. 30C.Each field of line A2 is now three rows tall. Notice that thecalculation in column B is unaffected. Similarly, a calc line will becontracted when the comment field character string is changed such thatit requires fewer lines of text. The character string of line A2'snumber field and operation field are displayed at the top of the numberand operation field by default (i.e., without any explicit actionrequired by the user). This is known as aligning the string at the topof the field.

[0230] In one embodiment, the evaluation of vertical calculations isunaffected by multi-row lines. For example, the calculation in FIG. 30Cis evaluated as if line A2 and line A5 were contiguous. The lines A3 andA4 are not visible and are said to be overlaid by line A2. In oneembodiment, overlaid lines are ignored when evaluating verticalcalculations. Therefore, the calculation in FIG. 30C may be evaluated asif it includes only lines A2, A5 and A6.

[0231] In one embodiment, the expansion of a calc line may be triggeredin several ways. If a comment field has fixed width, then as morecharacters are typed in than can fit in the comment field, the text can“wrap”, i.e., require another line to display. The calcsheet may alsoallow a user to force the comment text to be displayed on more than oneline. This may be accomplished by inserting a linefeed and/or carriagereturn character. In various embodiments, the expansion may occur assoon as a character is typed in that requires another line of text todisplay the entire comment, or the expansion may not occur until thecomment field loses focus, or a line may not be expanded at all untilthe user enters an explicit command to expand it.

[0232] It is not believed that multi-row lines exist in any calculatorprogram or spreadsheet.

[0233] Splitting Text

[0234] Another feature of one embodiment of the calcsheet is the abilityto split text. Line A2 in FIG. 12A has a comment field that has thefocus. When the user enters the split command, a new calc line isinserted after the focus line, and the characters after the cursor areremoved from line A2's comment field and placed in the new calc line'scomment field, as shown in FIG. 12B. It is not believed that thisfeature can be found in any calculator program or spreadsheet.

[0235] Commands

[0236] In order to allow a user of an interactive computer program suchas a calcsheet to do things like change field display order, hidefields, or split field text, it is recommended that the program providesome means for allowing users to input information to the program todirect it to perform such actions. The term command will be used forinformation entered by the user which directs a program to perform someaction. There are a very large number of user interface techniques forallowing users to enter commands, each of which has a very large numberof possible implementations, effectively producing a nearly infinitenumber of ways that a programmer can allow commands to be entered. Thetechniques for entering commands are very well known and are easilywithin the ability of a programmer with ordinary skill. The term commandinput means is used to describe the mechanism used to allow users toenter commands. Certain calcsheet functions may use at least one commandinput means, though more than one may be and often is provided.

[0237] As an example of some of the more well-known ways to implement acommand input means, some techniques that might be used to change theorder of fields within a column are listed below. This is not intendedto limit the scope of this invention to command input means that usethese techniques, but only to suggest some techniques and to show justhow many techniques there are to input commands.

[0238] Display graphical buttons for different field orders. When theuser clicks on one of these buttons with a pointing device (e.g. amouse), change the field display order of the current focus column tothe order represented by the button.

[0239] Create menu items for different field orders. When the userclicks on one of these menu items with a pointing device or selects oneof these menu items with a keyboard, change the field display order ofthe current focus column to the order represented by the menu item.

[0240] Assign different keyboard keys (or combinations of keys) todifferent field orders. When the user hits one of the assigned keys orkey combinations, change the field display order of the current focuscolumn to the order assigned to the key or key combination.

[0241] Display a text entry field into which the user can enter a textcommand from the keyboard such as “change order C comment operationnumber” which will change the order of fields in column C. Process thecommand when the user hits a reserved key/combination (such as the enterkey) or clicks on a button with a pointing device. Note that there areliterally an infinite number of possible formats for a text command.

[0242] Allow the user to drag a field header to a new position within acolumn using a pointing device, e.g., drag the comment field header tothe left side of the operation field header in order to put the commentfield on the left side of the column.

[0243] Some other common user interface “gadgets” that can be used forentering commands include lists, drop down lists, sliders, dials, radiobuttons, checkboxes, etc. In addition to or instead of a pointing deviceand a keyboard, a speech recognition system may be used to inputcommands. The above command entry techniques may be placed on the samewindow as the rows and columns of the calcsheet, or placed in a separatewindow that pops up just for entering a command (e.g., a dialog window),or spread across a sequence of separate windows (e.g., a “wizard”). Theabove techniques may be combined with each other in numerouspermutations. Multiple means may be provided for entering the samecommand. Each of these many user interface techniques may be coded inany number of ways at the discretion of the programmer. Despite themassive number of options for entering commands, implementing any ofthem is easily within the ability of a programmer with ordinary skill.

[0244] Field Order

[0245] In one embodiment, all calc lines in a column have their fieldsdisplayed in the same order, known as the field display order of thecolumn. For example, a typical field display order for a column is: theoperation field on the left, number field to the right of the operationfield, and comment field to the right of the number field. In oneembodiment, all calc line fields of the same type within a column havethe same width.

[0246] In one embodiment, a column's field display order may be changed.FIG. 25 shows a calcsheet with the comments displayed to the left of theoperation and number fields. This format of calculations, with commentson the left side of numbers, is commonly used for business financialdocuments. As another example, many adding machine tapes print theoperation character on the right of the number as shown in FIG. 41. Theability to change the order of fields within a column allows verticalcalculations to be displayed in these formats. It is not believed thatany calculator programs or spreadsheets allow the order of fields withina column to be changed. In one embodiment, it is recommended that thecalcsheet program provide a command to allow the user to change thefield display order of a column. See the discussion of commands abovefor more on commands.

[0247] Field Hiding

[0248] The ability to change which fields are displayed within a columnis a unique feature of the calcsheet. In other words, fields within acolumn may be “hidden” and “unbidden”. Each column has a list of thosefield types that will be displayed within the column, known as the fielddisplay list. Only those fields whose type is in a column's fielddisplay list will be displayed. FIG. 5 shows a calcsheet with thecomment fields hidden in columns A, B, C and D, allowing many morecalculations to be displayed on a single screen. FIG. 6 shows acalcsheet that has the operation and comment fields hidden in columns B,C, D, E and F, allowing the number fields in those columns to appearlike cells in a spreadsheet and contain tabular data, while column Acontains a vertical calculation. It is not believed that any calculatorprogram or spreadsheet has the ability to specify which fields in acolumn will be displayed. Note that the term list is a logical term anddoes not imply that the field display list will be stored physically asa list of any kind. In one embodiment, it is recommended that thecalcsheet provide a command to allow the user to specify the fields thatwill be displayed in a column.

[0249] Source String Display

[0250] In one embodiment, a number field normally has its outputcharacter string, which is the numeric value of the number field'scharacter string, displayed in it when it does not have the focus. It issometimes desirable to display the number field's character string, alsoknown as its source character string, when it does not have the focus.FIG. 33A shows a calculation with a function, cos(45), in the numberfield of line A3 while it has the focus. FIG. 33B shows the number fieldwith its output character string displayed in it when it does not havethe focus. FIG. 33C shows the number field of line A3 with its sourcecharacter string displayed in it when it does not have the focus. Thisfeature makes the calculation much more descriptive. FIG. 9A shows aformula in the number field of line A6 while it has the focus. FIG. 9Bshows the number field of line A6 with the output character string“440.00” displayed in it when the field does not have the focus. FIG. 34shows the same calculation with the source character string of line A6'snumber field displayed when it does not have the focus. This effectivelycombines a calculation that is displayed horizontally, “300+40+100”,with a vertical calculation, which can make a vertical calculationsignificantly more descriptive to look at. It is not believed that anycalculator programs allow the source character string of a calc line'snumber field to be displayed instead of the output character string.Spreadsheets cells do have the ability to display a cell's source stringwhen the cell is not being edited, but spreadsheets do not have verticalcalculations.

[0251] In one embodiment, in order to display the character string whenthe number field does not have the focus, it is recommended that thenumber field have an indicator that determines whether the characterstring (i.e. source string) or the output string is displayed when thenumber field does not have the focus. This indicator may be implementedany number of ways, including as a character that the user places in thecharacter string itself. For example, FIG. 33D shows the characterstring of line A3's number field with a single quote at the start of thestring. In this scheme, the presence of a single quote at the beginningof the character string indicates that the character string should bedisplayed (minus the single quote) when the number field does not havethe focus, and the lack of a single quote at the start of the numberfield indicates that the output character string should be displayedwhen the number field does not have the focus. Note that any characterand any position could be used; a single quote at the start of thecharacter string is just an example. The indicator may also be aninternal data structure that is set by the user entering a particularcommand.

[0252] Copying Referenced Comments

[0253] In one embodiment, when a line's number field contains areference to another calc line, and the referencing line's comment fieldstring is empty, then the referencing line's comment field will have thereferenced line's comment field string displayed in it when it does nothave the focus. If the referencing line's comment field string is notempty, then it will be displayed in the referencing line's comment fieldwhen it does not have the focus. FIG. 39A show line A2 with a referenceto line B2 and with its comment field string copied from line B2 becauseA2's comment string is empty as shown in FIG. 39B. When line A2'scomment field has text put in it, FIG. 39C, the comment from line B2 isnot copied, as shown in FIG. 39D.

[0254] Spreadsheet Lines

[0255] Another type of line in one embodiment of a calcsheet is known asa spreadsheet line. A spreadsheet line includes a single field whosestring may represent a numeric value or may be descriptive text. Likethe number field of a calc line, a spreadsheet line's string may becontain a literal number, a reference, a function invocation, or aformula, any of which will be interpreted as a numeric value. If aspreadsheet line's string is a valid number, reference, function, orformula, then it will be treated as a numeric value; otherwise, it willbe treated as descriptive text. In one embodiment, a spreadsheet lineoccupies at least the entire width of the column that it is in, and itmay extend into other columns if it contains descriptive text. FIG. 7shows a calcsheet with spreadsheet lines containing descriptive text inlines A1, A3, B3 and B12. FIG. 8 shows a calcsheet with spreadsheetlines containing numeric values in lines A7 through D10, while all theother lines are calc lines. The ability to combine spreadsheet lineswith calc lines in the same document is a powerful feature that is notbelieved to be found in any spreadsheet or calculator program. Thiscombination is useful for making a calcsheet easy to use and powerful atthe same time.

[0256] Field String Display Suppression

[0257] In one embodiment, a calcsheet can suppress the display of afield's string when the field does not have the focus. This may beparticularly useful for operation fields. FIG. 25 shows a calcsheetwhere the operation field in lines A5 through A16, B5 through B9, B14and B15 have non-null strings which are not displayed when thoseoperation fields do not have the focus. When one of these operationfields does have the focus, its string is displayed, as shown in lineA10. This format of calculations, with numbers and comments but nooperations, is commonly used for business financial documents. Theability to suppress the display of field strings allows calculations tobe entered in the familiar calculator style and then displayed in thispopular format. It is not believed that any calculator programs orspreadsheets have this ability.

[0258] In one embodiment, a calcsheet can also suppress the display ofthe total operation string in a total calc line's operation field whenit does not have the focus, while other operation field strings are notsuppressed. Line A4 in FIG. 26A has an operation field with a totaloperation string, “=” that is visible when the operation field is beingedited. FIG. 26B shows that the “=” is not visible when the operationfield is not being edited. In FIG. 26C line A4 has had its operationstring changed to “+” which is visible when the operation field is beingedited, and is also visible when it is not being edited as in FIG. 26D.In one embodiment, the operation field string is only suppressed if itis “=”. This feature is quite useful because people do not put an “=”character next to a total when they write vertical arithmeticcalculations on paper, and thus they don't expect to see it in acalcsheet. It is not believed that any calculator programs orspreadsheets have this ability.

[0259] Horizontal Resizing

[0260] One embodiment of the calcsheet includes the ability toautomatically resize fields and columns as the calcsheet programreceives input characters. FIG. 27A shows a screen before the character“r” is input, FIG. 27B after “r” has been input, and FIG. 27C after thecharacter “o” has been input. As each character is entered, line A1'scomment field is enlarged enough to fit the letter, column A is enlargedenough to fit line A1's comment field, and columns to the right ofcolumn A are shifted to the right on the screen. This feature makes itmuch easier to keep calculations in multiple columns properly spaced,eliminating the need to manually resize columns after entering data. Itis not believed that any calculator program or spreadsheet has thisability.

[0261] In one embodiment, a field or column can also be made to havefixed width, in which case the field's string will not all be displayedif it exceeds the width of the field.

[0262] Single Key Edit Navigation

[0263] In one embodiment, calcsheet users are provided the ability toswitch from editing one field to editing an adjacent field with a singlecharacter (e.g., a single keystroke when the character input means is akeyboard). When editing a field and entering an up arrow character(e.g., depressing the up arrow key on a keyboard), the calcsheet programmay set the focus to the field above the field that was being edited.Likewise, inputting a down arrow character key may set the focus to thefield below the focus field, a right tab character may set the focus tothe next field to the right, and a left tab character may switch focusto the field to the left of the focus field. When the focus is at thestart of a field, inputting a left arrow character may set the focus tothe field to the left of the focus field in one embodiment. When thefocus is at the end of a field, hitting the right arrow key may switchfocus to the field to the right of the focus field. FIG. 17A and FIG.17B show an example of a calcsheet before and after hitting the rightarrow key.

[0264] This feature may make it significantly easier to modify acalcsheet than it would be to modify a spreadsheet or a calculatorprogram tape. To discuss this advantage, the rest of this paragraph willassume that the character input means is a keyboard including thefollowing keys: up arrow, down arrow, left arrow, right arrow, enter andF2. With one embodiment of a calcsheet, the user can navigate to anyfield in a calcsheet using only the arrow keys, which typically aregrouped together on a keyboard, and immediately modify a field's text assoon as that field gets the focus. It is not believed that anycalculator programs allow focus to be changed to another field with thekeyboard at all. With spreadsheets the difference is more subtle butvery significant. Spreadsheets often do allow users to change focus fromone cell to an adjacent one using the arrow keys, but the contents ofthe new focus cell are not being edited when it gets the focus. In aspreadsheet, the first character entered will completely replace alltext that is already in the cell. Spreadsheets do not allow the user toswitch from editing one cell to editing another cell with a singlekeystroke. In order to edit another cell, the user must typicallydouble-click the cell with the mouse or enter multiple keystrokes. Forexample, in a typical spreadsheet, if cell A3 is being edited, and theuser wants to edit cell B3, then the user may enter the key sequence“enter, right arrow, F2”. If the user hits only the right arrow key, thefocus will not change to cell B3; instead, the focus will be “stuck” incell A3. This behavior is a source of significant frustration to manyspreadsheet users and is one of the factors that makes spreadsheets sounintuitive and difficult to use for so many people.

[0265] Calculator Input Mode

[0266] Another capability of one embodiment the calcsheet is known ascalculator input mode. This feature may allow calculations to be enteredin a calcsheet in a way which is very similar to a hand held calculator.As each character of a calculation is input, the calcsheet program mayautomatically insert new lines, switch input focus to the appropriatefields, insert the input characters into the appropriate field string,and display the input characters, in order to build a verticalcalculations from the input characters. This feature may provide asignificant usability advantage over calculator programs because itprovides immediate visual feedback as calculations are typed in: linesare inserted as soon as possible and characters are displayed in fieldsas soon as possible. In calculator programs, a new line is not inserteduntil the line is completely typed in, and it is often not clear whatchanges will be made to the tape. Another major advantage is thatcalculator input mode works while editing a previously entered field. Incontrast, calculator programs do not allow new vertical calculations tobe entered while editing a previously entered field.

[0267] The behavior of one embodiment of the calcsheet program incalculator input mode is further described as follows. In oneembodiment, when an operation character is input, the calcsheet programwill insert a new line after the focus line, place the input operationcharacter into the operation field of the new line, and set the focus toa field in the new calc line, preferably the number field since anumeric character is most likely to be entered next. A variation of thisis when the focus field is an operation field with an empty characterstring. In this case, instead of inserting a new calc line, the inputoperation character may be placed directly into the focus field. When anumeric character is input and the focus is on an operation field, thecalcsheet program may insert a new calc line after the focus line, placethe input character into the number field of the new line, and set thefocus to a field in the new line (preferably the number field since anumeric character is most likely to be entered next). A variation ofthis may occur when the number field of the focus line is empty: insteadof inserting a new calc line, the input character may be placed into thenumber field. When a text character is input that is not numeric and isnot an operation, and the focus is on an operation or number field, thecalcsheet program may place the input character into the comment fieldof the focus line and set the focus to the comment field.

[0268]FIGS. 16A through 16G further illustrate the behavior of oneembodiment of the calcsheet program in calculator input mode. FIGS. 16Athrough 16G show a screen sequence produced by typing in the charactersequence “1apple+2=” in calculator input mode. FIG. 16A shows the screenbefore any characters are entered and when the focus is in line A1'snumber field FIG. 16B shows the screen when “1”is entered; it is placedin the number field because it is a numeric character. The focus remainsin the number field. FIG. 16C shows that when “a” is entered, it is sentto the comment field because it is not a numeric character and not anoperation character. The focus is set to the comment field. As shown inFIG. 16D, the characters “pple” are not numeric and not operationcharacters, so as they are entered, they are each placed into thecomment field, where the focus stays. In FIG. 16E, when the “+”character is entered, since it is an operation, a new line is insertedafter line A1, the “+” is placed in the operation field of the new line,and the focus is set to the new line's number field. As shown in FIG.16F, when the “2” is entered it is placed in line A2's number fieldsince it is a numeric character, and the focus stays there. As shown inFIG. 16G, when the “=” is entered, since it is an operation character, anew line is inserted after line A2, the “=” is placed in the operationfield of the new line, and the focus is set to the new line's operationfield. The “=” operation causes the value of the calculation, 3, to bedisplayed in the line's number field.

[0269] In one embodiment, a useful variation of calculator input mode iscalculator input “overlay mode” where vertical calculations overlayexisting lines as they are input. In this variation, the behavior of thecalcsheet program is substantially the same as described above forcalculator input mode, except that instead of inserting a new calc lineand placing the input character into the new line, the input characteris placed into the next line in the column, overlaying any existing datain the line. FIGS. 29A through 29E show a sample screen sequence inwhich the character sequence “1+2=” is entered. Notice that when the “+”and the “=” were entered, no new lines were inserted, and the “3.00”overlaid the “4.00” in line A3. It is not believed that this feature canbe found in any calculator program; all existing calculator programsinsert new lines as calculations are entered. Spreadsheets, of course,do not support vertical calculations at all.

[0270] Field Fonts

[0271] In one embodiment, a calcsheet has a default font which may beused to display all character strings in all fields. A calc line canhave a font assigned to individual fields. In one embodiment, when afield of a calc line has a font assigned to it, then that field'scharacter string will be displayed using that font, as will the field'soutput string if it is a number or comment field. If a field does nothave a font assigned to it, then its font is said to be null and thedefault font for the calcsheet may be used to display any strings in thefield. FIG. 31 shows a calcsheet with particular fields of calc linesthat have been assigned fonts. Line A11's number field has a bold italicfont, line A16's comment field has an italic font, as do the commentfields of lines B9 and B15. As shown in the example, all other fields ofthe calc lines in FIG. 31 use the default font for the calcsheet. It isnot believed that any existing calculator programs allow individualfonts to be assigned to fields, and no spreadsheets have multiple fieldswithin a cell. The ability to change fonts of individual fields isdesirable to enable a single program to allow calculations to be enteredin the familiar calculator input format and also to produce professionalquality business documents. It is not believed that any calculatorprograms have this ability. Spreadsheet cells can often have fontsassigned to them, but spreadsheets do not provide vertical calculationsor fields within a cell.

[0272] Field String Alignment

[0273] In one embodiment, the alignment of a character string within afield may be changed. Alignment refers to whether the text is drawn onthe right side, left side, or in the center of, a field. Each field mayhave an indicator that determines how the text within the field will bealigned. FIG. 32 shows a calcsheet with comment fields whose text isright aligned. It is not believed that any existing calculator programsallow individual fields to have their alignment changed, and nospreadsheets have multiple fields within a cell. The ability to changethe alignment of individual fields is desirable to enable a singleprogram to allow calculations to be entered in the familiar calculatorinput format and also to produce professional quality businessdocuments. It is not believed that any calculator programs have thisability. Spreadsheet cells can have their text aligned, but spreadsheetsdo not provide vertical calculations or fields within a cell.

[0274] Calcsheet Program

[0275] The calcsheet functionality discussed herein may be implementedby a calcsheet program which is a sequence or group of sequences ofinstructions that configure a general purpose microprocessor to performat least the following tasks, among others:

[0276] 1. process characters that are input by the user;

[0277] 2. provide a command input means and process commands that areinput by the user; and

[0278] 3. display any visual element of the calcsheet such as rows,colunms, lines, fields, strings, headers, focus indicators, etc. thatare desired to be displayed.

[0279] The calcsheet program need not necessarily be implemented as asingle contiguous section of code, i.e., as a single function orsubroutine or method. While a calcsheet program may be implemented as asingle subroutine, or as a single object, or as a single method of anobject, more typically it will be implemented across multiplesubroutines and/or across multiple objects and/or multiple methods.Different parts of it may be implemented in different programminglanguages. Sections of the program may be stored as separate files whichare loaded and executed when they are needed. Techniques forimplementing the functions described in this specification are very wellknown and are well within the ability of a programmer of ordinary skill.

[0280] Alternative Embodiments

[0281] Multiple Cells Instead of Multiple Fields

[0282] In another embodiment, much of the functionality described hereinmay be provided by using the cells of a spreadsheet-like document ratherthan the multi-field columns described in detail above. For example, theoperation field, number field, and optional comment field may beimplemented using separate columns as in a traditional spreadsheetapproach. Nevertheless, as noted elsewhere in this specification,calcsheet functionality is not provided by traditional spreadsheets.

[0283] No Comment Field

[0284] In a preferred embodiment, calc lines contain a comment fieldused for holding descriptive commentary. Nevertheless, a comment fieldis not necessary for most of the functionality of a calcsheet.

[0285] Spreadsheet Lines

[0286] The combination of spreadsheet lines with calc lines may greatlyenhance the functionality of a calcsheet. A useful variation of this isto provide a single-field line that is like a spreadsheet line exceptthat it can only hold descriptive comments (i.e., the contents of theline are not evaluated to produce a numeric value for the line). Thisprovides the ability to display descriptive comments that span more thanone field as in FIG. 7, while still having calc lines' number fields fornumerical calculations. The combination of spreadsheet lines with calclines in the same document can be provided in two basic ways. One way isto put both calc lines and spreadsheet lines in a calcsheet when a newcalcsheet is created. The other way is to create a new calcsheet thathas either all calc lines or all spreadsheet lines and then allow theuser to add the other type of line to the calcsheet.

[0287] Output Strings

[0288] As discussed above, the preferred embodiment includes a separateoutput string which contains the numeric value of a number field.However, another useful embodiment could simply display a number field'scharacter string in the number field when it does not have the focus. Inother words, the number field's output string is the same as itscharacter string in this embodiment. If number fields do not have outputcharacter strings that are different from their character strings, thena technique for formatting numbers is to modify the character string ofthe number field when it loses the focus. For example, if a user enters“1234” into a number field's character string, then when that numberfield loses focus, the calcsheet would modify the field's characterstring in accordance with a user-specified format, for example“1,234.00”, which is displayed in the field. When the user edits thatnumber field again, the character string “1,234.00” will be displayedinstead of “1234”. This formatting technique is used in several existingcalculator programs.

[0289] Commands vs. Character Input

[0290] The difference between a command and character input is largely asemantic one. For example, this specification elsewhere describesclicking on a button of a graphical calculator as a form of characterinput (i.e., clicking on a button with a “9” on it is inputting thecharacter “9”). However, one could just as easily describe clicking on abutton with a “9” on it as entering a command to enter the character“9”.

[0291] Calculator Input Mode

[0292] Throughout this specification, calculator input is described interms of which field has the focus when a character is input and whichfield will receive the focus after the input character is processed. Ina preferred embodiment, visual indicators of focus are displayed. Forexample, a box may be drawn around the focus field, a cursor may bedrawn at the focus character, and the row, column, and field headers forthe focus field may be visually differentiated. However, a usefulvariation of calculator input mode in one embodiment is to not displaythese visual focus indicators, but continue to insert new lines asneeded, insert input characters into appropriate fields' characterstrings, and display input characters, as each input character isentered. Though the focus indicators are not drawn, this technique maystill give the user immediate visual feedback by immediately insertingnew lines and displaying input characters in the appropriate field.

[0293] Order of Evaluation

[0294] In one embodiment, a simple variation of the sequential andalgebraic orders of evaluation is to have the operation in the same calcline as the first operand of an operation, instead of in the same calcline as the second operand. This is equivalent to taking a regularsequential or arithmetic calculation and moving each operation up oneline. Thus the calculation “1+2*3=” would be entered as shown in columnB of FIG. 42, as compared to the regular sequential order shown incolumn A. The order that the operations are applied to the numbers isidentical for both calculations. In this example the “=” is placed inline B3, while the calculation value, 7, is placed in the number fieldof line B4, and a “T” is placed in the operation field of line B4, ascheme that is used in an actual calculator program as shown in FIG. 2.Many other variations of this scheme are possible, such as placing the“=” in line B4, placing some operation string other than “T” or “=” inline B4, placing some operation string other than “=” in line B3,leaving the operation field of line B3 or B4 blank, etc.

[0295] Vertical Calculation Bounds

[0296] In various embodiments, variations on vertical calculations mayinvolve determining the end of one calculation and the start of the nextone in a column in various ways. For example, some calculator programshave special lines which cannot contain any data and serve only toseparate one vertical calculation from the next. Some calculatorprograms allow null calc lines to be in a vertical calculation, and someinterpret a null line as the start or end of a calculation.

[0297] Other Input Means

[0298] The character input means described, a keyboard and a graphicalcalculator with a pointing device, are used in various embodiments.However, other means are certainly possible for entering characters. Forexample, speech recognition technology is improving rapidly, and it ispossible to create a system that uses speech recognition to entercalculations. For example, the words “one apple plus two oranges equalsfruits” could be translated into the character sequence“1apple+2oranges=fruits” which would result in the calculation in FIG.23. Another possible input means includes a program interface that wouldallow other computer programs to send character input to a calcsheet,perhaps from a program that is running on another computer on a network.

[0299] Various embodiments further include receiving or storinginstructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoingdescription upon a carrier medium. Suitable carrier mediums includestorage mediums or memory mediums such as magnetic or optical media,e.g., disk or CD-ROM, as well as signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as networks 102 and 104 and/or a wireless link.

[0300] Although the system and method of the present invention have beendescribed in connection with several embodiments, the invention is notintended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but onthe contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications,and equivalents as can be reasonably included within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: entering one or moremathematical operators; entering a plurality of numeric values;displaying the mathematical operators in one or more operation fields incolumnar format down at least one of a plurality of rows on a displayscreen; displaying the numeric values in a plurality of number fields incolumnar format down the plurality of rows on the display screen;entering an open parenthesis character in an upper row; entering a closeparenthesis character in a lower row, wherein the lower row is displayedbelow the upper row on the display screen; automatically calculating aresult by applying the set of mathematical operators to the set ofnumeric values and by following an order of evaluation which respectsthe open and close parentheses; displaying the result on the displayscreen.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the entering the openparenthesis character in the upper row comprises entering the openparenthesis character in one of the number fields in the upper row. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the entering the close parenthesischaracter in the lower row comprises entering the close parenthesischaracter in one of the number fields in the lower row.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the entering the open parenthesis character in theupper row comprises entering the open parenthesis character in one ofthe operation fields in the upper row.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe entering the close parenthesis character in the lower row comprisesentering the close parenthesis character in one of the operation fieldsin the lower row.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: enteringone or more comment strings; and displaying the comment strings in oneor more comment fields in columnar format down the at least one of theplurality of rows on the display screen.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the entering the open parenthesis character in the upper rowcomprises entering the open parenthesis character in one of the commentfields in the upper row.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the enteringthe close parenthesis character in the lower row comprises entering theclose parenthesis character in one of the comment fields in the lowerrow.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation fields and thenumber fields are comprised in a first column; and wherein the methodfurther comprises: displaying a single column label for the firstcolumn, wherein the single column label spans the width of one of theoperation fields and one of the number fields.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the operation fields and number fields are comprised in aplurality of columns.
 11. A system comprising: a CPU; a display screencoupled to the CPU; a memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the memorystores program instructions which are executable by the CPU to: receiveinto the memory one or more mathematical operators; receive into thememory a plurality of numeric values; display the mathematical operatorsin one or more operation fields in columnar format down at least one ofa plurality of rows on the display screen; display the numeric values ina plurality of number fields in columnar format down the plurality ofrows on the display screen; receive into the memory an open parenthesischaracter in an upper row; receive into the memory a close parenthesischaracter in a lower row, wherein the lower row is displayed below theupper row on the display screen; automatically calculate a result byapplying the set of mathematical operators to the set of numeric valuesand by following an order of evaluation which respects the open andclose parentheses; display the result on the display screen.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the receiving into the memory the openparenthesis character in the upper row comprises receiving into thememory the open parenthesis character in one of the number fields in theupper row.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the receiving into thememory the close parenthesis character in the lower row comprisesreceiving into the memory the close parenthesis character in one of thenumber fields in the lower row.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein thereceiving into the memory the open parenthesis character in the upperrow comprises receiving into the memory the open parenthesis characterin one of the operation fields in the upper row.
 15. The system of claim11, wherein the receiving into the memory the close parenthesischaracter in the lower row comprises receiving into the memory the closeparenthesis character in one of the operation fields in the lower row.16. The system of claim 11, wherein the program instructions are furtherexecutable by the CPU to: receive into the memory one or more commentstrings; and display the comment strings in one or more comment fieldsin columnar format down the at least one of the plurality of rows on thedisplay screen.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the receiving intothe memory the open parenthesis character in the upper row comprisesreceiving into the memory the open parenthesis character in one of thecomment fields in the upper row.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein thereceiving into the memory the close parenthesis character in the lowerrow comprises receiving into the memory the close parenthesis characterin one of the comment fields in the lower row.
 19. The system of claim11, wherein the operation fields and the number fields are comprised ina first column; and wherein the program instructions are furtherexecutable by the CPU to: display a single column label for the firstcolumn, wherein the single column label spans the width of one of theoperation fields and one of the number fields.
 20. The system of claim11, wherein the operation fields and number fields are comprised in aplurality of columns.
 21. A carrier medium comprising programinstructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by acomputer to implement: receiving into a memory one or more mathematicaloperators; receiving into the memory a plurality of numeric values;displaying the mathematical operators in one or more operation fields incolumnar format down at least one of a plurality of rows on a displayscreen; displaying the numeric values in a plurality of number fields incolumnar format down the plurality of rows on the display screen;receiving into the memory an open parenthesis character in an upper row;receiving into the memory a close parenthesis character in a lower row,wherein the lower row is displayed below the upper row on the displayscreen; automatically calculating a result by applying the set ofmathematical operators to the set of numeric values and by following anorder of evaluation which respects the open and close parentheses;displaying the result on the display screen.
 22. The carrier medium ofclaim 21, wherein the receiving into the memory the open parenthesischaracter in the upper row comprises receiving into the memory the openparenthesis character in one of the number fields in the upper row. 23.The carrier medium of claim 21, wherein the receiving into the memorythe close parenthesis character in the lower row comprises receivinginto the memory the close parenthesis character in one of the numberfields in the lower row.
 24. The carrier medium of claim 21, wherein thereceiving into the memory the open parenthesis character in the upperrow comprises receiving into the memory the open parenthesis characterin one of the operation fields in the upper row.
 25. The carrier mediumof claim 21, wherein the receiving into the memory the close parenthesischaracter in the lower row comprises receiving into the memory the closeparenthesis character in one of the operation fields in the lower row.26. The carrier medium of claim 21, wherein the program instructions arefurther executable by the computer to implement: receiving into thememory one or more comment strings; and displaying the comment stringsin one or more comment fields in columnar format down the at least oneof the plurality of rows on the display screen.
 27. The carrier mediumof claim 26, wherein the receiving into the memory the open parenthesischaracter in the upper row comprises receiving into the memory the openparenthesis character in one of the comment fields in the upper row. 28.The carrier medium of claim 26, wherein the receiving into the memorythe close parenthesis character in the lower row comprises receivinginto the memory the close parenthesis character in one of the commentfields in the lower row.
 29. The carrier medium of claim 21, wherein theoperation fields and the number fields are comprised in a first column;and wherein the program instructions are further executable by thecomputer to implement: displaying a single column label for the firstcolumn, wherein the single column label spans the width of one of theoperation fields and one of the number fields.
 30. The carrier medium ofclaim 21, wherein the operation fields and number fields are comprisedin a plurality of columns.